Abner Shimony (1928–2015)

Interesting historical fiction about the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar. Pope Gregory has officially declared that 10 days must be dropped from the year 1582 in order to accommodate the new calendar. This concerns Tibaldo, a poor Italian boy, who, with the financial support of his father’s boss, Professor Turisamus, attends the prestigious St. Joseph-in-the-Corner School in Bologna. If the 10 days are dropped, Tibaldo’s birthday will be lost. He is so concerned that he actually wangles an audience with the Pope to discuss it. The avuncular tone of the narrative makes the book a very readable account of the thoughts and beliefs in the Middle Ages regarding astronomy, astrology, and medicine. Italy. “Calendars are only human instruments for keeping track of days.”… (mere)