Exploring with the Microscope (A Book of Discovery & Learning) [Paperback]

Werner Nachtigall (Author), Elizabeth Reinersmann (Translator)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 080690867X | ISBN-13: 978-0806908670 | Publication Date: June 30, 1997

This is a comprehensive introduction to the wonders of exploring with a microscope. Methods and tricks are explained, and colour photographs illustrate specimens including table salt, a section of a fern leaf, a small fly and an amoeba.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up-Nachtigall's book is not an introductory text for novices. He explains everything readers need to know about microscopes, but beginners anxious to try one out for the first time may lack the patience to plow through more than 70 pages of information on the equipment itself before doing any observing. In frequently technical terms, the author explains the different features available on microscopes, what each part does, and how to select and upgrade equipment, and provides a list of manufacturers and suppliers. An extensive section on optics covers properties of lenses, optical geometry, and the path of a light ray through a microscope. The section dealing with illumination includes tips on photomicrography (taking photographs through a microscope) and using super-8 cameras and camcorders to record through microscopes. After instructions on measuring and drawing images comes the part on preparing specimens for viewing and observing plants, animals, and aquatic microorganisms. With writing that is precise and clear, but hardly scintillating, and excellent-quality full-color diagrams and photos, this book will be perfect for advanced hobbyists or high school students involved in science projects.
Jeffrey A. French, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 7^-12. Translated from the German, Nachtigall's book might well be subtitled "The Complete Book of Microscopes." From how to buy, understand, and use a microscope to collecting and viewing plant, animal, and inorganic specimens, this is a lavishly illustrated and meticulously detailed science text. More than 100 color slides, in addition to black-and-white photos and excellent diagrams, enhance the text. A wealth of botanical and zoological data extends the information about microscopes. Chapters on photomicrography and aquatic microorganisms delve further. This is a sophisticated title, not a beginner's book. Seymour Simon's and Maurice Bleifeld's books on microscopes are far more accessible to the younger student and to those who have little prior knowledge of the subject. List of suppliers appended. Anne O'Malley --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (June 30, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080690867X
• ISBN-13: 978-0806908670
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book both for beginners and the more advanced., April 18, 2001

By 

tepi "tepi" - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Exploring With the Microscope: A Book of Discovery & Learning (Hardcover)

For anyone who may be looking for a good introduction to microscopy, it's doubtful that there could be any better book. Nachtigall, who clearly loves his subject, writes with great enthusiasm and has packed an enormous amount of useful advice and information into its 160 pages.

The first thing that struck me about the book was how well-balanced it is. Nachtigall, who is an authority on microscopy, seems to have wanted to create a book which would be of equal value both to the absolute beginner and to the more advanced student. In this he has succeeded admirably, and I was particularly impressed by the great wealth of useful advice a beginner will find here, advice which runs all the way from how to buy, understand, and use a microscope through to how to collect and view plant, animal, and inorganic specimens. More advanced students will probably find much to learn from his detailed treatment of microphotography procedures and techniques.

The second thing that struck me about this book were its incredibly beautiful color photographs and microphotographs, all of which are the work of Nachtigall himself. He is clearly a master of the art, and his stunning photography is itself worth the price of the book. Unlike the photographs in a book such as D. J. Patterson's 'Free-Living Freshwater Protozoa,' which, though generally good, are small and often dark and not overly clear, Nachtigall's are large, bright, exremely clear, and beautifully reproduced. The book also includes many black and white photographs and drawings of specimens, items of equipment, and techniques and procedures which are designed to help the reader understand matters which can at times be rather technical.

The book falls into two parts, the first of which, on equipment and techniques, has chapters on The Microscope, Optics, Illumination, Photomicrography, and Drawing and Measuring. With the second part we move into the world of Plants, The Animal Kingdom, Inorganic Structures, and Aquatic Microorganisms. The book, which is stitched and well-printed on high-quality glossy paper, concludes with a list of international suppliers and addresses, and an index.

Since the many things one can look at under a microscope had to be covered by Nachtigall in just eighty pages, his survey is necessarily sketchy. Although his photographs enable us to clearly discern their structures, one will, for example, learn little of the fascinating lives and amazing talents of aquatic microorganisms. Readers who may have become interested in studying protozoa should try to locate a copy of Eric V. Grave's 'Using the Microscope: A Guide for Naturalists.' Although this book is unfortunately out-of-print, it is written in an equally engaging style and serves wonderfully to complement Nachtigall.

Whereas Nachtigall will probably leave you wanting to dash into town to look for a good microscope (though before you do you might check out Hermester Barrington's five-star review of the Meade 9400), I've no doubt that Grave will send you scurrying off to the nearest pond to search for protozoa to put under it. All three of these writers love their subject, and I should warn you that their enthusiasm is infectious.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells you everything !, April 6, 2002

By 

The Shaws (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring with the Microscope (A Book of Discovery & Learning) (Paperback)

This is an incredible book that deals with every aspect of the microscope including buying the right one, and adding components. It is important to have a reference, so that as you grow in your need for understanding, you have a reference handy. When I needed to measure my observations, there was the section on calibrating the eyepiece reticle with the stage micrometer. Whether you want to prepare slides, or observe live specimens, or take photos through the microscope- Mr. Nachtigall has covered the subject in a readable clear concise way. I can't begin to tell you how much I've enjoyed using the microscope by following the various suggestions and instructions provided in this book. The sections on color filters and various types of lighting are critical for true enjoyment. The technical sections are also key to getting the most out of your image all the time. Truly a landmark book for the amateur as well as the student or serious hobbyist. Packed with photos, diagrams, and beautifully written understandable text. I've actually watched the quality of my microphotography improve as I've read and re-read the book. When you buy accessories (like phase contrast stuff) you don't always get instructions! This book IS your instruction manual for everything microscopic. My favorite book on microscopy- without a doubt.

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Premier textbook for the adult hobbyist, January 7, 2000

By 

John E. Lind - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring With the Microscope: A Book of Discovery & Learning (Hardcover)

I try to keep my eyes open for new books for our customers, but have yet to find a book as thorough and captivating as "Exploring with the Microscope". Dr. Nachtigall, while one of the world's premier microscopists, has the ability to come down to our level, and, for instance, teach us how to make a microtome (for cutting thin slices) out of an old thread spool, or how to collect soil fauna with a funnel, a square of gauze, and a light bulb. The illustrations are excellent and the photographs are worth the price of admission. This has been GreatScopes top pick for the adult microscope hobbyist for many years.