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Parallax's Zetetic Astronomy: An Experimental Inquiry Into the True Figure of the Earth
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.
We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.
We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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First published December 19, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 14, 2019
One day my friend texted me with a link he wanted me to read. The website he linked to had a collection of various arguments that the earth is flat. This was not something I had ever considered or had reason to consider before. So I read the website and then I bought a couple of books to pursue the subject further.
Of the two books I purchased, I decided to read this one first since it was published in 1865. Obviously, those living in 1865 would have had less information to use to come to their conclusions. But being open minded and interested in just about everything, I wanted to hear the arguments for a flat earth. And, believe it or not, some of them are quite persuasive.
At this point, I haven't made up my mind either way; I have many questions for both points of view (heliocentric vs. geocentric). I do appreciate Rowbotham's method of inquiry, which is to assume nothing and start with what can be observed... vs. framing a theory and trying to find data to fit the theory, which seems to be how the heliocentric point of view came into fashion.
Of the two books I purchased, I decided to read this one first since it was published in 1865. Obviously, those living in 1865 would have had less information to use to come to their conclusions. But being open minded and interested in just about everything, I wanted to hear the arguments for a flat earth. And, believe it or not, some of them are quite persuasive.
At this point, I haven't made up my mind either way; I have many questions for both points of view (heliocentric vs. geocentric). I do appreciate Rowbotham's method of inquiry, which is to assume nothing and start with what can be observed... vs. framing a theory and trying to find data to fit the theory, which seems to be how the heliocentric point of view came into fashion.
Currently reading
March 29, 2019Well, this oughta be interesting. ^.^
May 15, 2017
Read this book with an open mind..His arguments are logical and scientific.
August 9, 2020
This is the book that started the 19th century resurgence of the Flat Earth movement. Thanks to the experiments, books, and lectures of an English inventor and author named Dr. Samuel Rowbotham, a flat Earth renaissance began sweeping the world. Rowbotham’s findings, beginning with his 1864 book, “Earth Not a Globe! An Experimental Inquiry into the True Figure of the Earth: Proving it a Plane, Without Axial or Orbital Motion; and the Only Material World in the Universe,” caused quite a stir in the scientific community and thanks to three decades of his efforts, the shape of the Earth became a hot topic of debate around the turn of the 19th century. Dr. Rowbotham conducted several experiments using telescopes, spirit levels, and theodolites, special precision instruments used for measuring angles in horizontal or vertical planes. By positioning them at equal heights aimed at each other successively he proved over and over the Earth to be perfectly flat for miles without a single inch of curvature.
October 28, 2022
Totally flat.
July 3, 2019
Doesn't hold up to scrutiny/physics.
February 10, 2023
Oooooooh, baby! Hahahaha! Okay, let me start by telling you there are at least a few people out there who are just waiting for the final nail in the coffin, the definitive proof that Brad's crazy. I'm sorry to have to disappoint them today. Unfortunately, after reading Earth Not A Globe (and watching 2 documentaries totaling 3+ hours), I am not convinced the Earth is flat.
However...I want to believe!
I'm the guy who invites Jehovah's Witnesses and door-to-door salesman into his home. Can you sell me on whatever you're peddling? Give it your best shot! That's how I feel about flat Earth theory. The belief in a flat Earth is just about the most "out there" theory I've ever heard. And man, have I heard and read about some doozies over the years! I'm not sold on the belief in a flat Earth. Yet. I do, however, plan to delve into any and every bit of material that I can find on the topic.
While I may not be convinced after reading Earth Not A Globe, I am supremely intrigued. In the 305 pages of this book, the author discusses just about every possible objection any person might have as to why the Earth cannot be flat. And he does an excellent job in doing so. The author presents page after page of specific examples that shed light on the fact that there are some anomalies in regard to the accepted belief that Earth is a spinning ball, hurdling through space. A number of these anomalies being examples of how and where the Earth fails to demonstrate its curvature. The author presents dozens of these examples, using basic science and math. Lots and lots of math.
In my opinion, what most makes this book questionable, is not its subject matter or its unconventional assertations, but the year it was published...that being 1881. I don't need to tell you why any scientific book from 1881 would be at least a bit questionable today, nearly a century and a half later. That being said, that almost makes it all the more impressive that the author was able to explain his position with such scientific articulation. In other words, he SOUNDS like he knows what he's talking about, and does a brilliant job in pleading his case. But that's not enough to convince me.
However, it's not about what I believe or don't believe. It's about what I can contemplate and consider. I read books like this because it's a workout for my brain. What I can contemplate and consider is vastly more important than what I believe.
This book makes so many great points and brings up so many good questions, that I find myself having more questions about flat Earth theory AFTER reading the book than I did before. There is another book out there about flat Earth, published within the last 5 years, that is 1,100 pages long. I suspect when I finish reading it, if I'm still not convinced the Earth is flat, I never will be. That is, unless someone jets me out the edge of the southern ice wall (Antarctica) so I can see for myself.
However...I want to believe!
I'm the guy who invites Jehovah's Witnesses and door-to-door salesman into his home. Can you sell me on whatever you're peddling? Give it your best shot! That's how I feel about flat Earth theory. The belief in a flat Earth is just about the most "out there" theory I've ever heard. And man, have I heard and read about some doozies over the years! I'm not sold on the belief in a flat Earth. Yet. I do, however, plan to delve into any and every bit of material that I can find on the topic.
While I may not be convinced after reading Earth Not A Globe, I am supremely intrigued. In the 305 pages of this book, the author discusses just about every possible objection any person might have as to why the Earth cannot be flat. And he does an excellent job in doing so. The author presents page after page of specific examples that shed light on the fact that there are some anomalies in regard to the accepted belief that Earth is a spinning ball, hurdling through space. A number of these anomalies being examples of how and where the Earth fails to demonstrate its curvature. The author presents dozens of these examples, using basic science and math. Lots and lots of math.
In my opinion, what most makes this book questionable, is not its subject matter or its unconventional assertations, but the year it was published...that being 1881. I don't need to tell you why any scientific book from 1881 would be at least a bit questionable today, nearly a century and a half later. That being said, that almost makes it all the more impressive that the author was able to explain his position with such scientific articulation. In other words, he SOUNDS like he knows what he's talking about, and does a brilliant job in pleading his case. But that's not enough to convince me.
However, it's not about what I believe or don't believe. It's about what I can contemplate and consider. I read books like this because it's a workout for my brain. What I can contemplate and consider is vastly more important than what I believe.
This book makes so many great points and brings up so many good questions, that I find myself having more questions about flat Earth theory AFTER reading the book than I did before. There is another book out there about flat Earth, published within the last 5 years, that is 1,100 pages long. I suspect when I finish reading it, if I'm still not convinced the Earth is flat, I never will be. That is, unless someone jets me out the edge of the southern ice wall (Antarctica) so I can see for myself.
August 19, 2019
The first 3 chapters of the book were great, but the rest was just pain in the head, it literally gave me a headache, I have my AC on but my head is burning, and I’m being serious.
It’s not that the book is bad, it’s that the way it’s written that makes it bad. The author tries to explain different issues like eclipse, sun, magnitude of the earth etc... but graphs which makes him sound like if he is baffling, bbb to the center to hhh to aaaa and something like that which makes it impossible to understand what he is saying. The book is also explanations and theories attempted to be demonstrated by very complicated graphs.
Another very important thing is that there is no reference to most of the experiments that prove the earth is a plane, no evidence to support them what so ever, this makes the book completely useless.
I would have preferred if the book persisted like the first 3 chapters, to mainly provide sufficient evidence that prove the earth is flat in different fields with reference and evidence to support them. The evidence in the book is very good but it only goes into the subject of surface level and curvature and etc...
It’s not that the book is bad, it’s that the way it’s written that makes it bad. The author tries to explain different issues like eclipse, sun, magnitude of the earth etc... but graphs which makes him sound like if he is baffling, bbb to the center to hhh to aaaa and something like that which makes it impossible to understand what he is saying. The book is also explanations and theories attempted to be demonstrated by very complicated graphs.
Another very important thing is that there is no reference to most of the experiments that prove the earth is a plane, no evidence to support them what so ever, this makes the book completely useless.
I would have preferred if the book persisted like the first 3 chapters, to mainly provide sufficient evidence that prove the earth is flat in different fields with reference and evidence to support them. The evidence in the book is very good but it only goes into the subject of surface level and curvature and etc...
January 6, 2020
Fascinating reading but requires thought and concentration. Not a quick read, although it is relatively short.
February 17, 2023
Laughable misinformation.
February 19, 2023
Fucking bullshit. Only idiots can think this shit is good.
January 27, 2025
Thought this might be interesting, but it's just ridiculous.
January 19, 2024
You'll notice that on all books discussing the geocentricity of Earth and the falsehood of heliocentricity that there are no descriptions of the book itself other than to say that it has been determined that this work is only valuable enough to be stored and reproduced for its historical and literary value. These books, including the subject book here, are conclusive evidence of the stationary geocentricity of Earth, proving with finality that Earth is centrally divergent, fixed and finished.
December 13, 2013
The primary source on Zetetic astronomy, which is to say border-line Christian Flat Earth Astronomy. He does well, unlike most other writers of the era, to stick to logical and scientific arguments and not biblical verses (leaving these for the end). However, some are lacking and he does misrepresent some of his points.
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December 29, 2023The author was right in that the Earth is not a rigid spherical Euclidian solid aka a globe, but a "mollusk" which varies ad lib within the viewers reference frame. See Einstein's General Relativity Chs. 28 & 29. However, it has no "edge" either as it's a virtual (2D qua 3D) sphere e.g. Azeroth in the World of Warcraft®.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews