Customer Reviews

Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide (Wiley Self-Teaching Guides)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a college professor and have used earlier editions of this book as a required text and also as a recommended text for an introductory astronomy course. I like this book because it has the information that is needed and is not overloaded with extraneous information or pictures. It gets to the point. Many other popular textbooks have way too much information to be covered in a semester course, and it costs the students well over a hundred dollars to get the book. These texts have fancy color pages that aren't really all that necessary, in my opinion, and long explanations that are too much for an introductory course for non-science majors. Moche's book is different. It has what you need but doesn't go overboard. But does it have enough? Colleagues of mine have tried to point out topics that are missing from the book. I look them up, and sure enough, those topics are there! The book treats a large number of topics in a concise way. As a result, the information is accessible, and the book is quite affordable for the student. If a student or a professor wishes to go more in depth on a particular topic, that's what class time is for, or sources such as current articles from astronomy magazines.

While I have mostly used this book in an academic setting, I would also recommend this book to someone wanting to learn astronomy on his or her own. The format is helpful for self-learning.

This latest edition will not disappoint you. There are many updates, such as the numbers of moons of the planets. Plus, there is a color insert, which adds some color without adding to the book's price.

What a great way to celebrate the International Year of Astronomy 2009!

Clear skies....

I'm a mother who doesn't know much about astronomy but now I've found a resource to use when my kids ask me questions about the stars and planets. This is an easy-to-read guide for parents who are not experts.

This book provides an excellent introduction to astronomy. It is up to date with excellent photographs and clear explanations. I would highly recommend this book to students in astronomy classes as well as people who wish to learn about astronomy as a hobby.

This is the nicest, most thoughtfully presented intro to astronomy I have ever come across. Every aspect of this gem is outstanding. Great diagrams, clearly presented concepts, well paced....dirt cheap. It is organized just like a self paced course, with frequent quizzes and end of chapter tests. If you want to start off in astronomy with one excellent book, this would be the one. I just wish I had of discovered it years ago. I'm using the 5th edition. I would presume subsequent editions to be at least as good.

Our daughter is competing in the Science Olympiad. We purchased several Astronomy books for Christmas. This one is straight forward and we love the review and practice tests. We recommend this book.

A very good book for little more than a beginner. Would have been nice to have colored pictures, but then the cost would have been higher. However, the diagrams and black and white photos were good enough to relate to the information. The book met the requirements for the purpose of what it was meant for. I would rate it as a 4 1/2.

THis is a great book, easy to read and follow. Ilistrations are helpful and easy to follow.
I am glad I purchased this book and would recommend it to others.

Even with the high level of material in this book, as a high school student, I was fully able to understand everything! The information is excellent and is extremely easy to use. There is no better astronomy self teaching guide than Dr. Moche's. Her simplicity in the complex concepts is brilliant.

Thanks for a great guide!

-Lucy Schwartz

I got it on time! And I bought a new book so of course I got a new one. lol I'm happy, thank you!

I don't know if I've outgrown this book, or what, but I only found it mildly interesting. It really seems as if the author is trying to get the reader excited about astronomy, but that his idea of the reader has the mental capicity of a 6th grader. Maybe that is for whom this book was written; if so: my bad.