The Astronomy Book

Looking for a gift book for a curious 7th-grader? A high-schooler who likes science? An adult who likes to look at the sky? Someone (maybe yourself) who has never understood why Pluto got 'demoted', how we know there was a Big Bang, or what the heck gravity waves are? This latest fact-filled, picture-rich, and accessible to most everyone volume from Dorling Kindersley Ltd. (Great Britain) is a sure-fire winner in every respect. Having taught science for 38 years at levels from middle school through college, I can tell when a science-related volume hits the mark with both its content's "reach" and its presentation. As with DK's 2014 Science Book, the on-point text is augmented with simple flow charts, full-color illustrations, links to related topics, and lots of brief bios about the people who spent years discovering what is presented. Also noteworthy... this volume contains several longish biographies of women astronomers like: Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Annie Jump Cannon, Margaret Geller, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, Cecilia Payne-Gaposchin, Vera Rubin, and Beatrice Tinsley. The contributors are experienced in science book writing and in astronomy to the degree necessary in order to pull off the task of communicating both simple and challenging ideas to a wide variety of potential readers.

I wonder often about the universe, but not as a number cruncher does, because they believe something can come from nothing. I am much more sensible in knowing that it was created by an all knowing and powerful God. The book is a general knowledge book that even a novice can see that the universe has order, and I chose to believe that order comes not by physics laws, but intelligence. You do know that the moon is not the correct size and weight to act as it does? The dogma that tv physicists would want you believe is bunk, as Archie Bunker would say. NASA wants to go to Mars costing 1 Trillion, yet we have so many disease's than still ravage man, but NASA knows, and this book is not to full of Scientific Dogma, but just facts your teenager needs to know about the Heavens, and "This book is Approved by Bill." You see that stamp you can be sure it does not clash with the truth.

A fantastic overview of the history of astronomy. Hits all the highlights. Aimed at young people, but great for all ages.

I like the book! It is straight forward and helps me deliver answers to folks attending the astronomy park here. I am not a trivia guy or a story teller and I tend to get too into the weeds. This book helps a lot!

Big ideas simply explained, indeed. I can't remember being so enthralled with a book that I ordered for my children. My homeschoolers love this; they love the setup of each topic and the accompanying information. It's a really terrific resource.

A very good book to catch up on Astronomy. Wel organized and covers the subject historically. Does justice to Chinese, Arab, Indian achievements.

I bought 2 of these for each of my boys that are very much into the stars. My 30 year old is becoming a Astrophysics and loves it , my other son, loves the stars as well, could not put it down, both were gifts, my husband is reading over his shoulder and says I WANT ONE!!!! SoI will be getting a 3rd one!!

Very interesting book. Breaks everything into easy to read sections. Goes through the history of astronomers and is easy to understand.