Universe: The Definitive Visual Guide, Easton Press Deluxe Edition

Universe: The Definitive Visual Guide

Easton Press Deluxe Edition

FINE Condition

This is a beautiful oversized leather bound edition of “Universe: The Definitive Visual Guide” published by the Easton Press in conjunction with DK Publishing in 2005. Nancy Cannon writing for Booklist provides an excellent summary: “Notable for its outstanding color illustrations, this work was written by a team of astronomers and science writers in language accessible to high-school students and the general reader. The topically arranged entries range in length from a short paragraph to several pages. This book should be of interest to anyone who appreciates the wonders of the universe and would enjoy a beautifully illustrated guided tour by experts.

The volume is divided into three sections. The first, called "Introduction," presents an overview of basic concepts, organized under the broad topics "What Is the Universe?", "The Beginning and End of the Universe", "The View from Earth", and "Exploring Space." The next section, "Guide to the Universe," focuses on the features of the solar system, the Milky Way, and the regions beyond. Among the topics that are covered here are the planets; asteroids, comets, and meteors; the stars; and galaxy clusters. Treatment is quite detailed; for example, more than 15 pages are devoted to Mars. Finally, the book has a section called "The Night Sky," with entries on each of the 88 constellations, including maps. Seventy pages of sky guides, which provide both background information and double-page monthly sky guides for both the northern and southern latitudes for 2005-2012, should prove highly useful to sky gazers. Throughout the text, sidebars offer brief profiles of astronomers and others, highlight discoveries and investigations, or describe space-related stories and myths. An eight-page glossary offers succinct definitions of key terms. A well-constructed index provides subject access to the contents. Stunning color photographs and illustrations, abundant on every page, supplement the text. Images from space probes and telescopes are interspersed with digital artworks. The illustrations alone make this volume well worth the cost.”

Measuring 12” x 10” x 1.25” and containing 512 pages, the book is bound in full leather covered boards and features the usual Easton Press fineries of silk moiré endpapers, gold gilding on the cover and spine, and a built in satin bookmark.

The condition of the book is FINE.