
audiobook
by M. de (Bernard Le Bovier) Fontenelle
Table of Contents
CONVERSATIONS ON THE PLURALITY OF WORLDS.
BERNARD DE FONTENELLE,
CRITICAL ACCOUNT OF THE Life and Writings of the Author, BY JEROME DE LA LANDE.
LINES ON FONTENELLE.
PREFACE BY BERNARD DE FONTENELLE.
CONVERSATIONS ON THE PLURALITY OF WORLDS.
FIRST EVENING.
SECOND EVENING.
THIRD EVENING.
Presented as a series of six evening conversations, this work invites listeners into an intimate salon where curious minds discuss the heavens. A learned host guides his guests through the latest astronomical ideas, explaining the motions of planets, the nature of stars, and the daring notion that other worlds might be inhabited. The dialogue style keeps complex concepts approachable, using wit and everyday examples that make the science feel alive.
Beyond the engaging talks, the book offers a glimpse of its 18th‑century origins: the author, a respected member of the French Academy and the Academy of Sciences, blended poetry, philosophy, and emerging Newtonian thought. Accompanied by scholarly notes that point out early misconceptions and update the discussion with newer discoveries, the text reflects the era’s enthusiasm for learning. Its enduring popularity, especially among women eager to explore astronomy, testifies to its charm and lasting relevance.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (223K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Tim Lindell, Tom Cosmas and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
2021-10-18
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1657–1757
A brilliant go-between for literature and science, this French writer helped make big ideas feel lively and approachable during the early Enlightenment. He is especially remembered for explaining scientific thought with elegance, wit, and unusual clarity.
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