The Discovery of a World in the Moone

This neat little book helped to popularize in England the new science of Astronomy, based in particular on Johann Kepler's Samnium and Galileo's discoveries with the telescope. Wilkins covers a surprising range of speculation on the nature of the Moon and the visible Lunar features, seen in tantalizing new detail with the new telescopes; Luna's possible inhabitants; and our potential means of travel thither. He amiably disputes with ancient and contemporary authors, drawing you into his thinking and making his conclusions seem quite reasonable.