Universe : Magnificent Cosmos [Paperback]

William J. Kaufmann (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0716738244 | ISBN-13: 978-0716738244 | Publication Date: June 1999 | Edition: 5th Pkg

Engagingly written, gloriously illustrated, Our Universe travels across the night sky to reveal the intimate relationship between ourselves and the cosmos. It is an epic journey encompassing the full spectrum of our knowledge of the Universe. Each of the twenty-chapters of the book centers on a famous astronomical object. From these familiar starting points, the entire Panorama of the Universe unfolds, as noted astronomer and writer Michael Rowan Robinson introduces the full range of theories, insights, historical events, and myths associated with the heavens. Rowan-Robinson reveals the violent history of the solar system; the birth, evolution, and death of stars; the astral sources of the elements that make up our own bodies; mysterious and giant radio galaxies; and the engima the Big Bang- the very origin of existence. Our combines superb writing, over 350 striking images from ground-based and satellite telescopes (most in brilliant colour), and dozens of literacy quotations, historical anecdotes, and classic paintings with astronomical themes. The result is a rich experience for all those interested in the role of astronomy in scientific and human history. (This book was previously published by Longman Group UK Ltd under the title Universe.)

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

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger A. Freedman, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA. William J. Kaufmann, formerly of San Diego State University, USA, was the author of the first four editions of Universe. His many books include Relativity and Cosmology and Exploration of the Solar System. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: W H Freeman & Co; 5th Pkg edition (June 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716738244
• ISBN-13: 978-0716738244
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,406,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as it gets, April 2, 2002

By 

Dr. Thomas Carl (Nuernberg, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universe & CD-Rom (Paperback)

I had the fortune, and sometimes misfortune, to read a fair number of textbooks. All of them did promise to teach, though some proofed rather very disappointing on closer inspection.

This book on the other hand most certainly holds everything one can expect.

The book is divided into four parts: first, there is a small introction into the basics of astronomy, followed by a more in depth discussion of the solar system. The third part then covers stars and stellar evolution, while the final part is devoted to galaxies and cosmology.

The math required is minimal (i don't think the average high school graduate should have any problems), and a wealth of pictures and graphs, together with elaborate explanations in the text make sure, that this book will be a pleasure to learn from for the interested college student.

Every chapter (30 in all) ends with a short recapitulation of the most important concepts learned, a good number of review questions (to which the answers are supplied in the back of the book) and suggestions for further reading (books, magazines and weblinks).
The book comes also with a CD, on which there are further review tests to all chapters (of course with answers), as well as additional animations and much more.
As if that were not enough, there is a companion webside that offers additional tests and answers plus updated information, since after all, astronomy is progressing swiftly.

All in all, there cannot be much doubt that this is one of the best and most well rounded astronomy textbooks on the market. If you have to learn the basics of astronomy due to a course, or if you simply want to enrich your horizon, this book will make either task both easier and more enjoyable.

...

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, informative, illuminating, February 28, 2003

By 

"river29" (South Fallsburg, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universe & CD-Rom (Paperback)

This is a premier text for the fields of astromony and comsmology. Thorough, deep, professional, concise, technically and scientifically accurate, but also, imaginative, filled with the wonder of discovery and learning. Beginning with the ancient origins of astronomical pursuits, the reader is taken through the unfolding world of space and time. The electromagnetic spectrum, light and optics, telescopes, planet and solar system formations, stars-their nature, galaxies, quasars, black holes, all of these wonders are explored. Do yourself a flavor-get it!

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful!, August 8, 2002

By 

Patrick Van Esch (Grenoble, France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Universe (Paperback)

This book is beautiful. Well written, easy to read, with
nice and informative illustrations all over, full of
interesting details. The CD is also very interesting,
not only for Starry Night, but also because of very
illustrative simulations.
The level is between popular and introductory professional.
There is not much hard theory inside, but that was
probably not the aim of the authors.
Apart from a great thing to read for oneself, the niceness
of the edition makes it also a nice gift in my opinion.