Astronomy is custom designed to inspire stargazing. Twenty-four sky maps are offered for just such an eventuality. Otherwise, astrophysicist Garlick organizes the universe in a conventional but still beautiful manner, proceeding from the solar system outward to the multibillion-light-year depths probed by the Hubble Space Telescope. Its images are not the only space-age source Garlick taps: pictures from less celebrated observatories also populate the presentations of planets, stars, galaxies, and quasars. More than a glossy gallery, the celestial objects Garlick features are embedded within his framing explanations of the electromagnetic spectrum and big-bang cosmology.
Gilbert TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
What makes [this book] stand out is the interesting arrangement of content, mixture of graphics and photography... depth of coverage. (Margaret Dominy
American Reference Books Annual, Volume 36 200502)
Panoramic introductions... custom designed to inspire stargazing. (Gilbert Taylor
Booklist 200502)
Experts and amateurs alike will love this book for its stunning photography and clear description of celestial phenomena... highly recommended. (Valerie Ott
VOYA 20050309)
Excellent visuals coupled with straightforward, broad subject coverage make it appropriate for many purposes and nearly any audience. (Courtney Greene
E-Streams 20040731)
Illustrat[es] not just western thinking but also the contributions of many cultures to the study of the sky. (Claudia Fetters
NSTA Recommends (National Science Teachers Assoc) 20041101)
The book is bursting with information but is so well-designed and written that the text never seems too heavy. (John Lyons
Charleston Post and Courier 200410)
A wonderfully useful, well-written, complete and attractive introductory text... an excellent, highly impressive book. (Gary W. Finiol
Science Books and Films 200411)
Novice astronomers seeking an all-in-one reference to the heavens will find it here. (
Science News 200412)
Introductory and comprehensive... an easy-to-use illustrated reference for amateur astronomers of all levels. (
Lunar and Planetary Information Bulletin 200412)
Superb collection of images... they can evoke in the viewer and almost intuitive understanding of the processes they depict. (Geoff Chester
Air and Space Smithsonian 20041204)
Will appeal to anyone who's ever marveled at the mysteries of a night sky. (
Hemispheres 200502)
One of the most beautiful introductory books on astronomy... an excellent gift for anybody keen on astronomy. (
Astronomy 200504)
Overall the photos and the reproduction quality are excellent. (Paul Deans
Sky and Telescope )
Stargazer's wonderland, offering a trove of hard data and interesting speculation... eminently readable... best of all are the stunning photographs. (
Bookpage )
Fun... exactly the kind of book that might inspire a youngster to take an interest in the heavens. (Dan Falk
Globe and Mail )
An attractive large-scale book... a volume with high visual impact and clear, although brief, explanations. Summing Up: Recommended. General readers. (M.-K.Hemenway
Choice )
Detailed information and detail in the photographs and illustrations are the strengths of this book... Recommended. (Mark Westhoff
Library Media Connection )
