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Pages: 1 CounterWeight Postmaster Reged: 10/05/08 Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR. Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson       #5661771 - 02/04/13 01:22 PM Attachment (25 downloads) Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi, Not sure if this the right place to post this? Bought a number of used or on sale books last week at my local bookstore, one of them- "Stargazer: The Life And Times of The Telescope", paperback, by Fred Watson, c2004, Da Capo Press. I unfortunately picked it up to start the first chapter. What I do with each book when I buy several... and usually pick a few to read in parallel (for completeness I'll mention this one contended with 'Saturn' by N. Mortillaro(this I read in a day but keep looking at the fantastic images at intervals), and 'Volcanoes in the Solar System' by C Frankel(in process)). I say unfortunately as I just kept reading! Finished it last night and thought it a very enjoyable and entertaining read. A departure from my usual technical fare, there is a lot of interesting information without wandering down rabbit holes, many names and places in it - but it's presented more from a foundations or historical / developmental aspect - why I IMO say non-technical. I found the musings on names of huge telescopes funny enough to laugh out loud in several places Manages to touch on a huge number of things relating to the history of glass and lens making in a way that is impartial which made it all the more enjoyable. In the back of the book I was surprised there are 30 pages of Notes, Sources, and References, and a 5 page glossary! I love it when authors include this stuff, and makes for interesting reading on it's own in ways. Next up in the end pages there is an interesting list and map of locations of the larger scopes in the world, by type. This followed by the all important index. This isn't meant to be a review as much as a recommendation. As it's old I'm sure there must be others here that had a chance to read it, would like to hear your thoughts. Post Extras:       Mike Lynch sage Reged: 04/07/06 Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: CounterWeight]       #5661936 - 02/04/13 02:47 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Jim, Yeah, I read this book some time ago, and, as I recall, I thought it was an enjoyable read, too! I ought to pick it up again and re-read it! Mike Lynch Frankfort KY USA Post Extras:       Undermidnight BEOTS "Tweener Cup" winner Reged: 05/25/04 Loc: Hilliard, Ohio Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: Mike Lynch]       #5662000 - 02/04/13 03:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Excellent book! I enjoyed this one when I got it. Jason Post Extras:       LB16europe member Reged: 09/23/09 Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: Undermidnight]       #5664444 - 02/05/13 10:36 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Spot-on review. I read that book five years ago and I really liked it. I should read it again. The only problem is that both the state of the most advanced telescopes of our days as well as the historical research on telescopes of the past have changed since the book was originally published. Post Extras:       CounterWeight Postmaster Reged: 10/05/08 Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR. Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: LB16europe]       #5664468 - 02/05/13 11:08 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   It's pretty amazing the sheer number of people, places, technologies and things he touches on in some way or another without making the book far larger or difficult / cumbersome to get through. Certainly can invite further reading on any number of the topics or people for anyone interested by it. Post Extras:       smallscopefanLeo sage Reged: 01/23/11 Loc: L.A., CA (& Home Plate, Mars!) Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: CounterWeight]       #5664518 - 02/06/13 12:04 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   This is one to add to the growing list, thank you.. Edit: Good golly there are a lot of Telescope history books out there (and being recommended to you when you add one of them to your Amazon cart or wishlist) Where can one find the time, or the money for that matter! Blasted books and their addictiveness Edited by smallscopefanLeo (02/06/13 12:16 AM) Post Extras:       RLTYS Post Laureate Reged: 12/18/04 Loc: New York (Long Island) Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: CounterWeight]       #5664685 - 02/06/13 06:13 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Just ordered a used copy from Amazon. Rich (RLTYS) Post Extras:       Undermidnight BEOTS "Tweener Cup" winner Reged: 05/25/04 Loc: Hilliard, Ohio Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: RLTYS]       #5667286 - 02/07/13 03:21 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Another book I enjoyed was Acre of Glass. Post Extras:       CounterWeight Postmaster Reged: 10/05/08 Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR. Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: Undermidnight]       #5700856 - 02/26/13 12:29 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Hi Jason, Just wanted to say thank you - I've ordered it and hopefully should be arriving soon Post Extras:       bicparker Carpal Tunnel Reged: 02/07/05 Loc: Plano, TX Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: CounterWeight]       #5707087 - 03/01/13 12:29 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Fred Watson is a great guy and really writes a good book. He's the director at Siding Spring Observatory in Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. I have enjoyed that book a lot. Post Extras:       CounterWeight Postmaster Reged: 10/05/08 Loc: Cloudyopolis, OR. Re: Book: 'Stargazer' by Fred Watson [Re: bicparker]       #5715509 - 03/05/13 10:28 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   My copy of "An Acre of Glass" arrived... raining outside... Post Extras:       Pages: 1

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