An author with a tail to tell

Halley’s Comet visits the earth every seventy-five years. Since the dawn of civilization, humans had believed comets were evil portents. In 1705, Edmond Halley liberated humanity from these primordial superstitions, or so it was thought, proving that Newtonian mechanics rather than the will of the gods brought comets into our celestial neighborhood. Despite this scientific advance, when Halley’s Comet returned in 1910 and astronomers announced that our planet would pass through its poisonous tail, newspapers gleefully provoked a global hysteria that unfolded with tragic consequences.

The Manzanita Writers’ Series welcomes author and historian Richard J. Goodrich to discuss his recently released book, “Comet Madness: How the 1910 Visit of Halley’s Comet (Almost) Destroyed Civilization,” at the Hoffman Gallery on Saturday, July 29.

Goodrich examines the 1910 appearance of the comet and the ensuing frenzy sparked by media manipulation, bogus science and outright deception. The result is a fascinating and illuminating narrative history that underscores how humans confront the unknown, how scientists learn about the world we inhabit and how society, from outright hucksters to opportunistic journalists, harness fear to produce a profit.

After twenty years as a history professor, Goodrich resigned his post in 2022 to dedicate himself to writing. His interests range from ancient history to the modern age.

The talk begins at 7 pm at The Hoffman Gallery, located at 594 Laneda Avenue in Manzanita. For more information go to hoffmanarts.org or call 503-368-3846.