Cosmos (Volume One)

Name: Cosmos (Volume One)
ISBN: 9787301342633

亚历山大·洪堡Peking University Press · ChinaJun 2025

4.8

Word count: 219K words
Chapters: 34
ISBN: 9787301342633

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Summary

This book is divided into four parts: an introduction to the various ways of appreciating nature and the study of cosmic laws; the definition of natural cosmology and related scientific discussion; the picture of nature—an overview of natural phenomena: space; and the picture of nature—an overview of natural phenomena: Earth. It covers the various ways of appreciating nature, the study of cosmic laws, the definition of natural cosmology, and related scientific discussion, introducing knowledge about the universe.

Editor's review

Humboldt's Cosmos is a classic text where modern scientific writing meets natural philosophy. This volume begins with ways of appreciating nature, then discusses cosmic laws and the definition of natural cosmology, before separately describing natural phenomena in space and on Earth, broad in scope and clearly layered. Its value lies not in offering specific conclusions of contemporary astronomy, but in presenting a way of thinking that combines precise observation with holistic feeling, letting readers understand how the nineteenth-century natural history tradition sought to grasp the unity of nature. The writing combines scientific discussion with a literary quality, suited to slow reading in quiet hours and to comparative reading alongside works on the history of science, geography, and environmental thought. Readers accustomed to the pace of modern popular science need to adjust their expectations and read it as a work of thought rather than a reference book; the rewards will then be more evident.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the history of science and the natural history tradition
Those who wish to understand the relationship between holistic views of nature and scientific writing
Readers who enjoy slow reading of classics and annotating as they read
Students and teachers in geography, environmental studies, and philosophy

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking quick access to contemporary astronomical conclusions
Beginners accustomed to fragmented reading and lacking patience
Practical readers expecting abundant charts and operational methods

Reading tips

Read the introduction first to grasp the author's basic approach to appreciating nature and investigating laws.
Read the space and Earth parts in comparison, noting observation methods and argumentative structure as you go.
Read alongside a work on the history of science or natural history to help situate the text's background.
After each part, write a short note sorting out concepts rather than excerpting conclusions.

About the publisher

Peking University Press China · Founded in 1979

Peking University Press is a comprehensive university press whose publishing areas cover classical literature, popular science, social culture, world history, Western philosophy, and culture. Its catalogue contains 6,031 titles, with representative books including A Dream of Red Mansions, Relativity: The Special and General Theory (15th Edition) (with Einstein's classic papers on unified field theory and other topics), Elements, Conics, The Aristocratic Families of the Eastern Jin, The Philosophy of Mythology (Volume I), The Philosophy of Mythology (Volume II), and The Origin of Continents and Oceans. Representative authors include Cao Xueqin, Zhou Ruchang, Albert Einstein, Euclid, Apollonius, Tian Yuqing, Schelling, and Xian Gang. The press has developed distinctive strengths in classical Chinese literature and in the translation of Western philosophical classics, while also covering scientific classics and social and cultural studies. As public information is limited, this description is based only on the books in the catalogue and offers no further extrapolation.

版权信息
弁言
导读（一）
导读（二）
前言
第一篇关于欣赏自然的多种方式和宇宙法则的研究导论
第1章欣赏自然的多种方式
第2章关于宇宙法则的研究
第二篇自然宇宙学的界定和相关科学论述
第1章自然宇宙学的界定
第2章相关科学论述
第三篇（上）自然之画卷——自然现象概述：太空
第1章开篇
第2章星云
第3章星球
第4章太阳系
第5章彗星
第6章流星
第7章黄道光
第8章引力和天体运动
第9章银河
第10章星空
第三篇（下）自然之画卷——自然现象概述：地球
第1章开篇
第2章地球的形状、密度、热能、电磁和发光现象
第3章地球由内向外进行的活动——地震
第4章地壳活动的伴随产物
第5章火山现象
第6章岩石
第7章陆地
第8章海洋
第9章大气
第10章地球上的生物
译后记

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers with no scientific background at all?

It can be read, but expectations need adjusting. It is not introductory popular science in the modern sense, but a classic text imbued with nineteenth-century scientific discussion and natural philosophy. Readers without a background can still grasp its overall concerns, but when specific concepts arise, it is advisable to consult materials on the history of science; reading should be slow, and there is no need to understand every argument in one pass.

What does this volume mainly cover?

According to the materials, this volume includes an introduction to the various ways of appreciating nature and the study of cosmic laws, the definition of natural cosmology and related scientific discussion, and an overview of natural phenomena in space and on Earth in the form of a picture of nature. The four parts unfold from method to object, and reading them in order helps grasp the overall structure.

Does reading this book require supplementary materials?

It is advisable to read it alongside works on the history of science or natural history. The book discusses ways of understanding nature in a particular era, and background knowledge helps distinguish which discussions are period-specific and which ways of thinking remain illuminating today. Reading the book alone makes it easy to mistake a historical text for contemporary scientific conclusions.

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About the author

亚历山大·洪堡 Author

Alexander von Humboldt is an author known for his writing in popular science and social sciences; public records offer limited information about his dates of birth and death, nationality, and other personal background. The library holds two of his works, both in the Cosmos series: Cosmos (Volume One) and Cosmos (Volume Two). Judging from their subject matter and common classifications, his writing spans popular science and the social sciences, and he is skilled at presenting natural knowledge within a broader cultural and intellectual perspective, combining informative content with readability. The very title Cosmos suggests a concern with the whole picture of the world, an attempt to outline an integrated understanding that goes beyond separate disciplines. Because public information is limited, his specific life experiences cannot be described in detail, but the works held here alone show his sustained commitment to science writing and the broad orientation of his subject choices, making them suitable for readers interested in topics where nature and the humanities intersect.