In 2017, over 200 million Americans witnessed the spectacular total eclipse of the Sun, and the 2024 eclipse is expected to draw even larger crowds. In anticipation of this upcoming event, this book takes us back in history over 150 years, telling the story of the nation's first ever eclipse chasers.

Chapter 1. Introduction: "The Rush of this Black Wing of Night".- Chapter 2. A TRANS-AMERICAN ECLIPSE.- Chapter 3. SOME LIGHT UPON THIS DARK SUBJECT.- Chapter 4. NAVY ASTRONOMERS 2,000 KILOMETERS ASHORE.- Chapter 5. THE VAST BLACK ORB.- Chapter 6. NEW ASTRONOMY IN THE OLD WEST.- Chapter 7. OBSERVING IN STYLE.- Chapter 8. MEETING OF THE GRAYHAIRS.- Chapter 9. Overhanging Monster Wings:" The Philadelphia Photographic Corp.- Chapter 10. SURVEYING A SOLAR ECLIPSE.- Chapter 11. The Canadians: Toques on the Frontier.- Chapter 12. Chasing the Umbra through Time and Space.- Chapter 13. A DARKNESS THAT CAN BE FELT.- Chapter 14. STANDING OF THE EDGE LOOKING UP.- Chapter 15. VULCAN.- Chapter 16. AMERICANS IN TOTALITY.- Chapter 17. IN THE SHADOW OF BENJAMIN BANNEKER and "EVEN THOUGHTLESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN HUSH . . .".- Chapter 18. FIRE CLOUD.- Chapter 19. WHAT DID IT ALL MEAN?.- Chapter 20. . . . AND WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THAT?.