The Secrets of the Vaulted Sky: Astrology and the Art of Prediction

Fascinating and mind stimulating food for thought. Enjoyed the adventures throughout the pages. A way of understading the sciences of the skies. Very interesting as you read between the lines and learn of how much the stars created our history throughout our world from those that studied the starry starry nights.

I found this book to be an illuminating and engaging account of the history of astrology, from Assyrian times to the present. Some parallels are drawn to developments in modern science, such as quantum entanglement. I am surprised that the other reviews here have missed one of the book's main themes: the similarity between astrological and Darwinian accounts of human behavior. Just as astrologers said that human behavior is inclined but not compelled by the planets, so Richard Dawkins says that our genetic endowment inclines but does not determine our conduct.

What a wonderful chapter by chapter safari into the little known history and meaning of the incomplete science. Berlinski covers the issue very responsibly not arguing for he literal interpretation of news paper horoscopes. Berlinski however talks about the subject keeping an open mind - considering all of the logical and axiomatic revelations that modern physics and mathematics has brought to light. This book is a must read for anyone trying to develop a balanced and opened mind.

This book should not be dismissed as trite information on historical divination.Many people have either mocked astrology or were spellbound by it ,through the ages.Yet,the interest in predictions based on astrological events has never waned and flourishes currently.And maybe its more popular today,thanks to our freedom of the press and the cyber-space facts at our fingertips.For a small book,concerning such a vast topic like astrology,it's packed with interesting stories about the night-stars and its impact on our global cultural history.The validity of star-observations and its potential meanings have always been argued over the years.Yet,no one can dispute the affect that the influence of the celestrial stars and planets have had on our human deciding actions ,through the centuries and foreseeably beyond tomorrow.

David Berlinski's Secrets Of The Vaulted Sky is a unique survey of astrology and the art of prediction, providing interested readers with an informed and informative history of the discipline which also examines the doctrine and the science behind this metaphysical source of inquiry. Individual chapters trace the origins, evolution and modern fascination with astrology, considering their ongoing spiritual, social and political powers and the attractions of and logic behind astrological predictions. This is a simply fascinating history.