An introduction to solar eclipses. Colossal celestial spectacles ; Watching people watching eclipses ; What you see and why you see it --
Eclipses in the ancient world. Eclipse computer Stonehenge ; Babylonian decryptions ; Greek science ; The Crucifixion darkness ; Ancient Chinese secrecy ; Maya prediction ; Aztec sacrifice --
Eclipses in the modern age. The rebirth of eclipse science in Islam and Europe ; The New England eclipse of 1806 ; Expedition to Pike's Peak, 1878 ; New York's Central Park, 1925 --
Lessons from eclipses. The eclipse as cartographer and timekeeper ; Zoologists chasing shadows --
Personal eclipses. Eclipses in culture --
Afterword : a confession --
Appendix : a brief chronology of solar eclipses.
