The Waterless Sea

A Curious History of Mirages

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Nature
Cover of the book The Waterless Sea by Christopher Pinney, Reaktion Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Christopher Pinney ISBN: 9781780239699
Publisher: Reaktion Books Publication: May 15, 2018
Imprint: Reaktion Books Language: English
Author: Christopher Pinney
ISBN: 9781780239699
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Publication: May 15, 2018
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Language: English

Mirages have long astonished travelers of the sea and beguiled thirsty desert voyagers. Traditional Chinese and Japanese poetry and art depict the above-horizon, superior mirage, or fata morgana, as exhalations of clam-monsters. Indian sources relate mirages to the “thirst of gazelles,” a metaphor for the futility of desire. Starting in the late eighteenth century, mirages became a symbol in the West of Oriental despotism—a negative, but also enchanted, emblem. But the mirage motif is rarely simply condemnatory. More often, our obsession with mirages conveys a sense of escape, of fascination, of a desire to be deceived. The Waterless Sea is the first book devoted to the theories and history of mirages. Christopher Pinney navigates a sinuous pathway through a mysterious and evanescent terrain, showing how mirages have impacted politics, culture, science, and religion—and how we can continue to learn from their sublimity.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Mirages have long astonished travelers of the sea and beguiled thirsty desert voyagers. Traditional Chinese and Japanese poetry and art depict the above-horizon, superior mirage, or fata morgana, as exhalations of clam-monsters. Indian sources relate mirages to the “thirst of gazelles,” a metaphor for the futility of desire. Starting in the late eighteenth century, mirages became a symbol in the West of Oriental despotism—a negative, but also enchanted, emblem. But the mirage motif is rarely simply condemnatory. More often, our obsession with mirages conveys a sense of escape, of fascination, of a desire to be deceived. The Waterless Sea is the first book devoted to the theories and history of mirages. Christopher Pinney navigates a sinuous pathway through a mysterious and evanescent terrain, showing how mirages have impacted politics, culture, science, and religion—and how we can continue to learn from their sublimity.

More books from Reaktion Books

Cover of the book C. R. Mackintosh by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Beijing by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Deer by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book The Ocean at Home by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book A History of the Arctic by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Global Flu and You by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Mushrooms by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Paul Gauguin by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Bat by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Paris by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Why Hell Stinks of Sulfur by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Alfred Jarry by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Dragon by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Lizard by Christopher Pinney
Cover of the book Ballets Russes Style by Christopher Pinney
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy