16 replies to this topic

[pugliano]

Looking for opinions on which of these books you think would be the best for something fun and interesting to read! I have the Amazon reviews, of course, but I'd like the opinions of those of you on here who may have read them.

 

Trying to decide between:

 

1. The Day We Found the Universe

2. Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos

3. First Light: The Search for the Edge of the Universe

4. Starlight Detectives

 

I may eventually get them all, but money is tight, so which one would you recommend?

 

Thanks.

Edited by pugliano, 10 November 2019 - 07:46 PM.

[B 26354]

Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos

[Neptune]

I have read 2 on your list.

 

The one that sticks out in my mind is First Light: The Search for the Edge of the Universe.  I read the fist few paragraphs and I was hooked.  It did get a little slow towards the end but I am a huge fan of the 200" Hale Telescope.

 

The other was, The Day We Found the Universe. It was also a good read if you enjoy the history of observational astronomy.

 

If you enjoy reading about the stories behind the great observatories of the world and old time ingenuity and dedication, I would strongly recommend The Glass Giant of Palomar by Woodbury.

 

David

[pugliano]

Thanks. I'm having difficulty deciding! All four interest me, probably in the order I listed them, but I'm not sure.

 

Good call on The Glass Giant. I already have that one.

[pugliano]

My mistake! I had ordered, "The Perfect Machine: Building the Palomar Telescope", not The Glass Giant.

 

https://www.amazon.c...0?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[brentknight]

I bought First Light new back in 1987 and I'm sorry to say - I haven't read it yet.  Thanks for reminding me of it again, and it's now back on my reading list.  Lonely Hearts is a book I would also like to pick up.  It sounds very interesting.  I don't think I've heard of Starlight Detectives - I'll have to check that one out.

 

I have read The Day We Found the Universe though and I can highly recommend it.  I really enjoyed the history of Big Astronomy described in the book and the author brings the lives of the astronomers and their work into clear focus.  This has been one of the best books on astronomy and history that I've read.

Edited by brentknight, 11 November 2019 - 10:46 PM.

[herschelobjects]

I’ve read all of them. My own personal ranking:

 

1. Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos
2. First Light: The Search for the Edge of the Universe
3. Starlight Detectives

4. The Day We Found the Universe

 

...but they are all very good books.

Edited by herschelobjects, 12 November 2019 - 07:08 AM.

[brentknight]

Based on the recommendations on this thread, I’m about half way through First Light and just got Lonely Hearts in the mail. Starlight Detectives is the only one I lack...

[JOEinCO]

Looking for opinions on which of these books you think would be the best for something fun and interesting to read!....Trying to decide between:

 

1. The Day We Found the Universe

2. Lonely Hearts of the Cosmos

3. First Light: The Search for the Edge of the Universe

4. Starlight Detectives

 

I may eventually get them all, but money is tight, so which one would you recommend?

Buy them all. Each and every one is available on eBay, in Good or Very Good or better condition, for about $4 each. 

 

You can get ALL FOUR for less than the price of "The Day We Found The Universe" on Amazon.

[turtle86]

I bought First Light new back in 1987 and I'm sorry to say - I haven't read it yet.  Thanks for reminding me of it again, and it's now back on my reading list.  Lonely Hearts is a book I would also like to pick up.  It sounds very interesting.  I don't think I've heard of Starlight Detectives - I'll have to check that one out.

 

I have read The Day We Found the Universe though and I can highly recommend it.  I really enjoyed the history of Big Astronomy described in the book and the author brings the lives of the astronomers and their work into clear focus.  This has been one of the best books on astronomy and history that I've read.

+1 on The Day We Found the Universe.  I would also recommend Coming of Age in the Milky Way by Timothy Ferris.

[brentknight]

Thanks Rob!  Coming of Age in the Milky Way from Amazon for $5.50 is on it's way now...

[turtle86]

Thanks Rob!  Coming of Age in the Milky Way from Amazon for $5.50 is on it's way now...

 

It’s a great read.  Also recommend The Whole Shebang by him.  Really, all of his books are worth reading.

[pugliano]

I was gifted, "The Day We Found The Universe" for Christmas. It's great! I'm only about 1/8 of the way through it and already I've learned a lot that I hadn't known about the history of cosmology and the lives of the astronomers involved. It is well written and very interesting. Highly recommended!

[DennisK]

I don't know how things are where you live but all four of these books are available for me through our library system.  If you have the option, get them from the library and try them out before you buy.

[YAOG]

Abebooks.com allows me to own and read a zillion books. Most I read and then donate to the club library or share in the little libraries all over here in town. 

[YAOG]

I know you posted some titles but Sobel's The Glass Universe was a good read for astronomy history fans. 

[astrophile]

Thanks Rob!  Coming of Age in the Milky Way from Amazon for $5.50 is on it's way now...

 

 

It’s a great read.  Also recommend The Whole Shebang by him.  Really, all of his books are worth reading.

 

I'll second that!  And heartily recommend an older Timothy Ferris title that I found in the clearance rack at the Smithsonian, The Red Limit.  Yes it was written last century--but its historical information remains fully valid, not to mention excellently told.  It's a fabulous read, better IMHO than Coming of Age.  Ranks right up there with Ronald Florence's The Perfect Machine and provides great context for it.

Edited by astrophile, 03 January 2020 - 08:44 PM.