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The Clock in the Sun is a fascinating account of humanity's relationship with the sun. Sokolsky (emer., Univ. of Utah) weaves a compelling yarn that spans over 1,000 years of astronomical history, from humanity's worship of the sun in ancient times to the constellation of spacecraft that monitor it 24/7 today. Readers will learn that the invention of the telescope sparked a heated controversy over the nature of sunspots and that there have been numerous questionable attempts to relate them to economic cycles, crop yields, illnesses, and the weather. They will also learn about the famous Maunder Minimum, a period of low solar activity that coincided with Europe's Little Ice Age; how tree rings record solar activity; and the possible effects of solar activity on Earth's long-term climate. Sokolsky chronicles more modern breakthroughs, such as the discovery of the link between solar activity and aurorae and the Nobel Prize-winning detection of solar neutrinos. Rich in both history and science, this is an engaging, thought-provoking read, complete with extensive notes and references for further exploration.Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.