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Peer-reviewed article

Historians of science and the “Sobel Effect”

March 21, 2005 | Media and Technology
In 1995, journalist Dava Sobel's Longitude caused an earthquake in the history of science community. The present article analyses how only recently historians of science have fully realized the novelty the book represented. In the meantime, the international success of popular books by journalists on the history of science has become a well-known phenomenon. The author suggests that the huge publishing success of Sobel's book ­ the "Sobel Effect" ­ has provoked three main kinds of reaction among historians: rejection, detachment, and imitation. Which of the three strategies is the best, for both public and authors?

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Paola Govoni
    Author
    University of Bologna
  • Citation

    ISSN : 1824-2049
    Publication Name: Journal of Science Communication
    Volume: 4
    Number: 1
    Resource Type: Research Products
    Discipline: General STEM | History/policy/law
    Audience: General Public | Scientists
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Comics, Books, and Newspapers

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