Reviews (2)

An easy-to-understand primer for any beginning stargazer
Collaboratively Nigel Henbest and Stuart Atkinson, The Night Sky is a brief yet vert nicely illustrated, full-color beginner's guide to stars and other fascinating things that can be viewed by children in the night sky, including comets, planets, and meteors. One of the titles in the outstanding "Usborne Spotter's Guides" series, The Night Sky is strongly recommended as a highly enjoyable and easy-to-understand primer for any beginning stargazer.

Usborne Spotter's Guides: The Night Sky
Covers the stars and the planets, and includes a detailed map of the moon. Includes a few quizzes even (i.e. name the constellations shown here). The book is small (7 X 4 1/2), which could be a drawback for some - too small for more than one child to see at a time, yet a plus for others who want to carry it in a pocket. The pages open well so that not too much info is hidden in the crack. ... Read more

Book Description

Imagine yourself...
- surprising your friends
- charming a date
- delighting your children
- becoming an astronomy enthusiast
- navigating in a survival situation
- taking your first steps to discovering our place in the universe.

Stikky Night Skies uses a unique learning method to bring a fascinating topic to anyone with an hour to spare. We spent hundreds of hours with dozens of readers testing and refining it to be sure it will work for you.

Includes a comprehensive Next Steps section with guides to the top 12 night sky objects, stargazing equipment, observatories, clubs, free star maps, space and astronomy websites, and more.

Covered by the Stikky Guarantee.

We give ten percent of the profits from this book to projects that use knowledge to help people in need worldwide.

For stargazers in the northern hemisphere. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Easy way to learn to recognize constellations
A simple but effective approach, "Stikky Night Skies" teaches the reader how to recognize six constellations, 4 major stars, a planet, and how to always determine north in the night sky. Besides showing the constellation pattern and describing how to recognize it the book contains multiple pages of actually night skies to practice on. After completing the book it is fairly simple to locate each of the constellations mentioned.

I did have one problem with the book. The gluing method used to attach the cover on my copy was of such poor quality that the cover came off with just one reading. Of course it can just be glued back on with good quality hot glue, but you would expect it to be of better quality from the beginning.

Other than this one caveat, if you want to know how to recognize a handful of constellations that you can use as a base to learn other ones, you can't go wrong with "Stikky Night Skies".

200 black pages with little white dots on it ... that's all?
After all the reviews I read here I expected a lot more. Before I cover the content of this book let me tell you that the binding of this book is pittyful - it fell apart after the first indoor use. The printing quality appears to me like a cheap black and white newspaper print (no pictures or decent draws), just that the paper is somewhat thicker. The book consists only of black pages with wihte dots on it resembling stars. In one or two easy sentences on each page you are supposed to figure constellations. It works and in an hour you are about to find 5 or 6 constellations in the book.
But for whom is this book made for???
Little kids?- No, nothing is explained about stars, solar system, universe etc. Just to find a few constellations won't hold up a kids interest for very long.
The newbie astronomer? - NO. There is no explanation given to nothing. So it is not only that you know nothing about the basics of astronomy, it also fails to live up to it's own expectations. Most people will be surprised that they don't find the constellations they found so easily in the book. Thats because they've been told nothing about the seasonal constallations, the difference between the northern/southern hemisphere, no directions given where to find stuff, nothing about the rotation...
So here comes my personal guess what this book is good for:
If you wanna impress your girlfrind with your newly acquired skills and you want to take no effort... this is it. You just have to be lucky to be in the right place at the right time of the year ... and most importantly, she shouldn't ask any question like "What is this bright misty arc overhead?" , "Is a shooting star a fallen star?". Those questions will embarrasse you to nature, because you couldn't answer them from the content of this book.
Honestly again, get yourself T. Dickinson's "Nightwatch" and you will find all constallations easily and constantly at any time of the year. You will know the answers to all the questions an interested rookie might ask himself.

Connect with our ancestors
Take this book with you on your next trip. Devote an hour to reading it, accept the simple rules, and you will never again look at the night sky in the same way. For thousands of years people examined the night sky with nothing but their eyes, their minds, their hopes and fears. Over time, they learned a remarkable amount about the near heaven. Using this book, you can regain a profound skill that helped our ancestors onto the rocky of civilization. You can learn to see the skies, to understand how space is arrayed. This can be a pleasure in itself or it can be the foundation for a plunge into astronomy. This book offers you a grand chance. After you read the first part, take a blanket, go outside, lie comfortably on the ground, and join our ancestors in the first step into the universe. And there is a bonus: you can learn how to use the sky to orient yourself in your own backyard. This book offers a glimmer of what school should be like.

Fabulous for novice astronomy interests!!!
If you have an interest in the skies above... but don't know where to begin...THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!

I am a complete novice about our stary nights here on earth...and within 30 minutes "Stikky Night Skies" has provided a basis for me to begin a new adventure and hobby.

If you are searching for a family hobby that can be enjoyed by one and all...this book works for a child and beyond.

My husband's special interest is in quantum science. I asked him if he wanted to have some fun, so I gave him the book. After 30 minutes he looked at me and said.."I'm hooked !! When is the next clear night?".

We are hooked on the night skies thanks to "Stikky Night Skies"!

Great Book
This book at first seemed too simple. Then after buying and reading it, I realized that it was perfect. The book starts slowly, teaching you how to find one star and constellation and then builds on that information. By the end of the book the reader can find several constellations, stars, etc. This information is also presented in such a way that I feel I'll retain the knowledge for life. All-in-all a good book that effectively conveys the information. ... Read more

Book Description

Do you know the story of Michael Collins, the Apollo 11 astronaut who went all the way to the moon but never walked on its surface? Instead, he orbited the moon 14 times, surrounded by 701 power switches and 20 pounds of checklists. Reminiscent of a scrapbook, this extraordinary book chronicles what Michael Collins did, saw, and thought about in space. Through fascinating facts, quotes, checklists, original drawings, and photos taken both in space and on Earth, it also tells how the astronauts prepared for their historic journey, what they brought with them, and what they left behind. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not just for kids, this is a space fan's delight!
I'm always stopping into my daughter's elementary school library to help reshelf books. I saw this newly published book on display and took a look at it. I'm an avid space fan and just couldn't resist the catchy title and the very unique shiny cover. It caught my interest right away, so I took it home for a longer look. Well, even though it's a 9 - 12 year old reading level book... I was fascinated by it. There were some very interesting facts that I never knew about the Apollo 11 mission. There are even facts about the following Apollo missions. The facts are presented in very fun and easy to read charts. The pictures are very personal and different from any I'd seen before. There are also several pages of Michael Collins own handwritten journal notes, which I'd never seen before.
I'd say this book is a MUST HAVE for any space fan, no matter what their age and a definite winner for any 9 - 12 year old future space explorers. I like the book so much that I'm (...) buying three copies today! ... Read more

Book Description

Children explore the many ways we use airplanes, from seaplanes to crop dusters to planes that write messages in the sky. This very simple picture book about transportation ‘will delight the youngest, and have enough meat for older preschoolers and beginning readers.’ —K.

... Read more

Reviews (7)

Great introduction for little travelers
When we took our 1-year-old across the country via air, we wanted to prepare him for the experience of riding in an airplane. I sought out a book to show him pictures and came across this simple yet substantial book.

Before we took our trip, I was able to show him the pictures of planes similar to what we'd be flying in. When we were waiting on the plane, he was able to "read" his Plane book and see pictures of all the activity that was happening just outside his window. As we flew, the book entertained him with its colorful illustrations and many details.

This is definitely a favorite to my toddler, who now at almost two adores planes and has flown 6 times in the last 3 months. It has been taken across the country and back and has stood up well, with only a few indications that it is a well-loved book.

I've seen no other book like this, and highly recommend it to anyone preparing their child for travel.

Barton's simple approach is superb
My son is an airplane and boat fanatic(as is his Father). Solution? Byron Barton books! These little gems offer a few pages of pictures (very simple illustrations using primary colors)describing the different tasks an airplane, boat, train, etc. do everyday. I prefer the chunky board book format, which is virtually impossible for toddlers to completely destroy. Check out Barton's books today.

Soaring through the skies with Byron Barton
Byron Barton's "Planes" is a fun and educational book for beginning readers. In it the author/illustrator depicts a jet plane, seaplane, crop duster, helicopter, and other aviation phenomena. A sample of the easy-to-read text: "This is a jet plane with people inside."

The illustrations are basically simplified line drawings enhanced with bright, solid colors. Barton brings a distinctive stylistic flair to this approach. A nice touch is that Barton depicts people of various colors and ethnic appearances. Overall, a good choice for small children.

Couldn't be better
My baby loves this - he's 21 months - be brings it to me all the time to read. Nice illustrations.

simplicy is wonderful
We have the board book version and thank goodness! This book is read many times and is holding up well. Any baby or younger child who likes airplanes will love this book. It would also be helpful to read to children who are getting ready to take an airplane flight.

Cartoonish and simple drawings with thick black outlines and pretty bold colors. Text is very simple "this is a jet plane with people inside". Very simple wording yet NOT annoying. Quick to read through and then my son asks for it over and over and honestly, I don't mind the repetition for this book (unlike some other books we own....) At 3 years old he now has it memorized and sits and "reads" it to himself over and over. My baby also likes this book and carries it all over the house and "reads" it to himself with babbling baby talk.

I can't wait to buy more of this author's books and wish they were all available in board book format as this one gets a lot of use in our home.

I have not seen other books about planes in board book format that are appropriate for baby through the preschool ages, making this is a unique book. ... Read more

Book Description

A most unusual guide to the solar system, A Little Book of Coincidence suggests that there may be fundamental relationships between space, time, and life that have not yet been fully understood. From the observations of Ptolemy and Kepler to the Harmony of the Spheres and the hidden structure of the solar system, John Martineau reveals the exquisite orbital patterns of the planets and the mathematical relationships that govern them. A table shows the relative measurements of each planet in eighteen categories, and three pages show the beautiful dance patterns of thirty six pairs of planets and moons. Wooden Books

Small Books, Big Ideas Historically, in all known cultures on Earth, wise men and women studied the four great unchanging liberal arts -numbers, music, geometry and cosmology-and used them to inform the practical and decorative arts like medicine, pottery, agriculture and building. At one time, the metaphysical fields of the liberal arts were considered utterly universal, even placed above physics and religion. Today no one knows them.

Walker & Company is proud to launch Wooden Books, a collectable series of concise books offering simple introductions to timeless sciences and vanishing arts.

Attractively simple in their appearance yet extremely informative in content, these unusual books are the perfect gift solution for all ages and occasions. The expanding title range is highly collectable and ensures continuing interest. In addition, the books are non-gloss and non-color, appealing to a greener book-buying public. Wooden Books are ideally suited to non-book outlets.

Wooden Books are designed as timeless. Much of the information contained in them will be as true in five hundred years time as it was five hundred years ago. These books are designed as gifts, lovely to own. They are beautifully made, case-bound, printed using ultra-fine plates on the highest quality recycled laid paper, finished with thick recycled endpapers and sewn in sections. There are fine, hand drawn illustrations on every page.

The fast-moving world of Wooden Books brings you a selection of fascinating titles. All hardcover, 64 pages, 100% recycled paper at $10.00 each. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

The best book yet on Cosmic Weirdness
I don't know what the previous reviewer was going on about - personally I found the planet-centred pictures fascinating (in particular those involving the small planetoid Chiron which turns out to be highly harmonic/resonant with its neighbours). If I had one criticism of this book it would be that the author does not in fact go into resonance as the likely explanation for many of the coincidences he describes, but hey, since most scientists don't seem to talk about it either (they haven't quite cracked it yet), I can see why he goes for the Harry Potter style instead. This is a great book, leave it by the toilet, read a little every day, and have your brain fundamentally rewired. Why has nobody noticed all this stuff before? Astophysicists, this is your wake-up call!

Some parts are not explained very well
I found the statements on the ratios of planet diameters and orbits to be well presented and pretty straightforward but the "spirograph" images representing the relative motion of the planets in their orbits and the epicycles, which the author calls "kisses", left me a bit confused. The representation of epicycles on page 7 is clear and makes sense but from there the leap to the sort of creative rendition on page 23 appears to be pure artistry with only the smallest connection to observed reality.

Many comments are simply made with little or no explanation at all, e.g. on p.26, "Mercury also displays a harmonious calendar as its day is 2 of its years, a musical octave". OK. And about 365 earth days is one of its years, which probably isn't an octave. So what? Page after page had comments like this that simply left me wanting a more meaningful discussion.

Many of the "coincidences" presented were very intriguing indeed but I would caution the readers who are awestruck by this book to also read, "Numerology, or, What Pythagoras Wrought", by Dudley, Underwood for an enlightening evaluation of numerical 'coincidences'.

AN ENIGMATIC MASTERPIECE
Quite why there isn't more of a storm breaking over this elegant little book I can't work out. Brief, beautiful and to-the-point, it's been my top gift-book of 2004. Good original science wrapped up as magic, I'm still not sure where Martineau is exactly coming from, but there's no arguing with his data (which I have checked). A pity there is no statistical background to the findings he presents, but then this is not the kind of book for that anyway. For what it's worth I think he's probably right (although we won't know for another 100 years) - these kind of patterns may well be a signature of conscious life. I would kind of expect other solar systems with conscious life to also display phi and fibonacci-based relations around their primary 'conscious' planets. We know that liquid water takes an icosahedral structure. Martineau's ideas seem the next logical step. Ahead of its time. Recommended.

Great intro to Design in the Universe
Martineau does a great job introducing us to the "coincidences" that surround Earth, and in fact let us exist. However, he wrongly states, "No modern theory exists to explain the miracle of conscious life nor the cosmic coincidences that surround our planet." This is untrue, Intelligent Design Theory (IDT) does just that. (Martineau even asks "Is this design?" on p. 2.)

For more on IDT see books like "The Creator and the Cosmos" by Hugh Ross who has been documenting the cosmic "coincidences" for 20 years. See also Dembski's "Intelligent Design" & "Signs of Intelligence" and Dean's "Is the Truth out There?"

There are other great books in this Wooden Book series: "Sacred Geometry," "Stonehenge" and "Sun, Moon & Earth"

John Martineau rocks!
This book is very clever. John Martineau is a genius and my biggest hero. I hope to meet him some day. He understands the universe. I would like him to show me how to become a world famous geometer too! ... Read more

Book Description

Tibaldo Bondi, son of the assistant to the great Florentine physician Turisanus, is supposed to celebrate his 12th birthday on October 10, 1582. But 1582 is no ordinary year. Inaccuracies in the calendar established under Julius Caesar have been piling up for over a millennium, the equinoxes are coming earlier and earlier in the year, and Easter is inexorably drifting out of traditional season. When Pope Gregory XII decrees a long-needed calendar reform, part of the correction involves dropping ten days from the year. Social upheaval ensues. Workers will lose ten days' wages, rent payments are due only twenty days apart, and Tibaldo's birthday is lost.

Determined to recover his birthday, quick-witted Tibaldo manages an audience with Pope Gregory and speaks his mind. This story cleverly weaves an enjoyable account of the cultural and scientific milieu of 16th century Italy. Through Tibaldo's eyes, we learn of contemporary medical skills as practiced by his sister, a midwife, and his father; from Tibaldo's schoolteachers we learn about Renaissance astronomy and other sciences: and of course we learn the basis of the Gregorian reform that led to the calendar we use, with just minor changes, to this day.

Beautifully illustrated with drawings that reflect the style of the era, Tibaldo and the Hole in the Calendar offers a fascinating look at the Renaissance period and a delightful tale that will entertain readers of all ages. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Author's statement about Tibaldo
Tibaldo and the Hole in the Calendar is a fictional story with a historically and scientifically correct setting. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII proclaimed a reform of the calendar, including the omission of ten days--Oct. 5 through Oct. 14 of 1582-- to correct the inaccuracy of the Julian calendar. Tibaldo Bondi's twelfth birthday, on Oct. 10, 1582, would be omitted, to his distress. He imaginatively and courageously fought to recover his birthday, by asking help from his teachers and the governor of Bologna, and eventually from the Pope himself. The Pope was so amused (laughing for the first time in eight years!) by Tibaldo's daring and clever arguments that he issued a special decree restoring the celebration that would have been lost in 1582. This fictional decree is printed here in authentic papal Latin, but a translation is given. Tibaldo goes on to become a famous physician, pioneering in the use of the microscope and in preventive measures against the spread of infections. He also pioneers in the education of women, marrying a woman astronomer and ensuring that one of his daughters becomes a midwife, one a physician, and one an astronomer. As the background for the story much information is given about astronomy, medicine, midwifery, the history of the calendar, and the religious and political history of Italy. The book is printed in a Renaissance format and the beautiful etchings by Jonathan Shimony are in the style of Renaissance book illustration. The story and the factual background are accessible to children of age ten years or more but are also fascinating reading for adults. It is a particularly instructive and amusing book for a parent to read with a child. Tibaldo has been translated into French, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, and Greek, and is due to be translated into Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew. Tentative plans are underway to make a movie of it, to be set in Bologna, Italy.

A wonderful book for both children and adults
This book is really quite charming. It beautifully blends science, philosophy, history, and fiction into a format that is accessible to children and entertaining for adults. Highly recommended ... Read more

Book Description

For all those kids who have a burning desire to launch a rocket, DK is pleased to offer another fabulous creation from the man who brought us the Ultimate Robot Kit and the Robot Challenge Kit. The Ultimate Rocket Kit contains four different rockets, each with its own mission. Read up on rockets in the enclosed book, build one, and get it ready to soar into space. ... Read more

Book Description

By focusing on one small square of night sky near Orion, this entry in a highly lauded series gives children aged 6 to 9 an exciting close-up on amazing facts about stars, planets, nebulae, comets, meteors, the moon, constellations, and classic myths.Suitable for stargazing anywhereÑeven the cityÑThe Night Sky will add to kids' wonder as it teaches them about the marvels of the heavens through superb illustrations and a proven approach that entices their interest and involvement. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A fun and informative hands-on astronomy book for kids.
The Night Sky is an excellent introduction to astronomy for children. I am a science teacher and have looked at many books preparing for my astronomy unit next year - and The Night Sky will be required reading for my class! Information is interesting and exciting. Stargazing is an essential part of the book, but done in the typical "One Small Square" fashion so as to interest and excite children with their new knowledge rather than overwhelm them. I loved this book! A must-have for any young scientist! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Tale of Two Inventors
Read about the life of those amazing inventors, Wilbur and Oriville Wright, as they learn explore, and create a flying machine! ... Read more

Amazon.com

What's cooler than outer space? Kids and adults alike will enthusiastically assert that astronauts, space ships, and rocket science are some of the most fascinating subjects on (or rather, off) earth. Space Exploration, a stellar addition to Dorling Kindersley's Eyewitness Books series, does this immensely popular topic justice. Learn why astronauts take passports into space! Discover the perplexing mechanics of using a toilet while weightless! View a model of the first planned space station! Kids can also read up on subjects like the space race, moon landings, astronaut fashion, dangers and disasters, and science in space. Abundant full-color photos of everything from dogs in spacesuits to views from satellites complete this zero-gravity exploration, and ensure that if your children weren't already space-obsessed, there will be no turning back now. (Ages 9 to 12) ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A mini-museum about space exploration in an illustrated book
Since President Bush declared his intention to have the United States go back to the Moon, establish a permanent base, and go to Mars, space exploration is in the news again.When I first started going to school my father was stationed in Florida and we would get out of class to go outside and watch the Mercury flights take off, so I remember when space exploration was an exciting idea and when the entire planet watched the first landing on the moon.But then I also remember when we stopped going to the moon and the only time we really paid attention to space missions was when a shuttle was destroyed.

This volume on "Space Exploration" for the Eyewitness Books series covers the entire history of these efforts, going back to the dreams of space from ancient sky watching to the speculative writings of science fiction.After explaining what is "space," Carole Stott establishes the idea of people from around the world being involved in the exploration of space, symbolized by Apollo 18 docked to Soyuz 19.The historical survey begins with the first rocket scientists, the idea of the reusable rocket, and the space race, with its early space travelers, and the landing of humans on the moon.The next major section talks about how to become an astronaut, what they wear, how they live and work in space.Sections are devoted to the danger and disasters of space exploration, space stations, and the various satellites and probes that have been sent off into space. The final units look at the future in space, how space technology has been used on Earth, and what lies ahead.Of course, that last bit needs to be updated now, but you have to expect new plans would pop up for the 21st century.

As always this is a book where the photographs are so impressive that you often forget there is some text for each of these two-page spreads.However, a lot of the information is to be found in the captions for all those photographs.The end result is a lot of breadth, which sacrifices depth, but that is the same effect you would get if you were at a museum getting to see all of these things in person. Of course, no museum on Earth (or in space) has all of these items, which range from the patch worn by the first Mongolian in space to toys from McDonalds that encourage youth interest in space.Do not be surprised when young readers get excited by seeing how astronauts sleep and drink Coke in space.

This book is full of information.
"Eyewitness Space Exploration" Tells about space and its many factors. I recommened this book for those who a really in to space (rockets, going to the moon, that kind of thing.)

Eyewitness Space Exploration
The Eyewitness Space Exploration is a good book.Did you ever wonder how it would be to be an astronaut?Or how long to train for the journey?To find out these answers, read this book.

A nice book.
This book was fine, and tells all the rockets and rocket launches, space shuttles, the landing on the moon and a whole lot more stuff. I would have gave this book 3 and a half stars if I could but since you can't use halfstars on Amazon.com I decided to use 4 stars. ... Read more

Book Description

What is it like?
For thousands of years people looked up at the moon and wondered about it. Now we know what the moon is like. There is no air on the moon and nothing grows, but there are towering mountains and deep craters--and much more!

Colder than the desert, the hotter than the desert, the moon is an amazing place to explore. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

One Step
I got this book for the little boy I nanny for. We always read it. He loves it as well as outer space. If yours loves life from out of this world, go buy it. he/she will love it

Travel to the Moon
What child does not want to be an astronaut when they grow up? Traveling in space, walking on the moon: How amazing! This book allows children to explore their curiosity and excitement about the moon. It is well illustrated and the narration is interesting and keeps their attention. They are learning, yet it is fun. It is unique because the story is supplemented with short teaching times referring the child to the pictures on the page. (Even I learned a few things about the moon.) My son has always wanted to ride in a space ship... Now he wants to live on the moon! "It is so cool," he said. I highly recomend this book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Just a little bit more
Gail Gibbons book on the planets contains just a little bit more information than most young children's books on the subject. From information on how and why planets and stars look differently in the night sky to the distances of each planet from the sun, there's more for curious minds to ponder.

The book begins by explaining a few difference between stars and planets. It continues with how the planets were named and the later discovery of the outer three. Then our solar system, orbits and rotations are discussed.

Each planet is then explained in detail. The book does a nice job of choosing facts to present and keeping the topics consistent from planet to planet. Each planet's distance from the sun, relative size, length of day and year and are included. When appropriate moons are mentioned. Unlike many other young children's books on the planets, information on some of the more well-known moons of other planets is given. Considering the target audience of the book, the information is nicely comprehensive.

Toward the end of the book astronomers and space craft are very briefly mentioned. No information on space travel is included. As the title implies, the book focuses on information about the planets.

The illustrations are nicely done; the book contains no photographs. The drawings, however, are very detailed and present the planets in a nice perspective. They are very well done. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

The Cazalets Enter the Modern World
I enjoyed these four novels about the Cazalet family. It was very interesting to be able to observe how England changed from the years before World War II to the period after it, going from a calm self-absorption and a reliance on live-in help to everyone listening to news bulletins and servants being almost impossible to get. Rather strange, though, I thought, that so many of the marriages were between young women and middle-aged men. And virtually everyone having an affair -- is this realism, or just overuse of a good technique for revealing character? And I thought Clary's choice of a husband implausible.

But in general the books were very believable. I was interested in all the characters and moved by their experiences. They have been absorbed into my mind just as if they were real people. Major virtues of these books are the atmosphere of English culture of the time, and the subtle character development. An unfortunate minor distraction in this book, unlike the three other volumes, were editing errors, for instance characters starting the paragraph with the wrong name, or Christopher's pet Oliver being a cat for ages and then suddenly on p. 478 being a dog!

A great send-off to a great series!
This was, I think, the most touching book of the Cazalet series. After the war their situations are not automatically better, but slowly things begin to improve for some of the Cazalets. Clary and Polly fall in love, Rupert and Zoe try to rediscover each other, and Louise makes peace with her past and takes control of her life.

For those in the United States who are having a hard time finding this book (as I did) I suggest you try W. H. Smith On-line. I ordered it from them and it took about a month to arrive from England (cost was about 10 pounds).

The Satisfying Conclusion to the Cazalet Saga
The fourth and final volume of "The Cazalet Chronicle" brings to a satisfying conclusion the story of this much-extended English family. Taking place in the aftermath of World War II, each family member grapples with the rationing, food and housing shortages, and other deprivations the English endured. Marriages break apart and new unions are formed, pregnancy shatters the life of one cousin while another eagerly anticipates motherhood, new careers are begun, family rifts pit brother against brother, and old loves are rekindled as the Cazalets head into the future. Elizabeth Jane Howard writes the intimate details of their lives with a warmth,humor, and passion that is almost magical.

Casting Off
I, too, have been left hanging and am eagerly awaiting this last book, as I know it too will receive a five star rating from me. I can recommend both the books and the tapes in this series to be among the best. Keep writing, Ms. Howard!

The Present Emerging
The Second World War has ended, but "normal" eludes most of England and, in particular, the Cazalet family and assorted family retainers, servants, etc. Communication between family members reaches a new low, families break apart and regroup, and faith appears as a real issue. Teddy acquires an American bride of the worst type, Louise sheds a famous husband, Villy becomes the odd one out, Polly does not seek but still finds, Angela travels to the U.S. to marry, Christopher becomes his own man, and Neville is utterly charming in his hideously truthful way. Crawling into the covers of this book gives the reader a real sense of the present emerging. The recorded version sounds magnificent, the dialogue is so skillful that I'd love to listen to the books too. And, having read all four books, must we end it here? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Neil Armstrong : Young Flyer
I had to read this book for a book report, and it was very full of good information. It was easy to read, and I finished it quickly ... Read more

Book Description

Explore the changing ideas about our Universe -- from the flat Earth to black holes.

Here is a spectacular, thought-provoking, and highly informative guide to the mysteries of the Universe. Superb full-color photography of scientific instruments, experiments, and innovative 3-D models reveals the discoveries and latest research that have transformed our understanding of the Universe. See how time and space are measured, the world's largest telescope, in Hawaii, a sonic tape measure, inside an atom, and how pulsars flicker on and off with amazing precision. Learn how far it is to the Moon, whether time can stand still, how to pop through a wormhole, how Einstein helped prove that everything is made of atoms, when the world's oldest observatory was built, and why "London Time" was introduced in 1840. Discover how the Universe is expanding, whether Schrodinger's cat is dead or alive, bouncing universes, what astronomers call "spaghettification", the difference between biotime and biospace, how ripples in spacetime happen, and much, much more. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Very Detailed Book
I've read alot of books about space, but this is the most detailed space book I've ever read. The part about time machines and black holes was confusing but very interesting. I had no idea it was possible to make a time machine, or is it? This book may not be right on everything but I trust it. I trust all the books I read (not including fiction books). The part about the box and the light going through was really interesting. I don't get everything in the book, but I still liked it.

This book is extrodinary (and makes you think a lot.)
Eyewitness Time & Space tells about many time theorys as well as space theorys (actually, they are one, also known as "spacetime" as it metions in the book.) This book tells about the history of time and space and how people have dealed with it over the milleniums and centuries, bio-space and bio-time, and spacetime laws. It even talks about going "across the universes". This means there are parallel dimensions happening trillions at a time when someone makes a choice and goes up that "root" in time, also known as "quantam universes". Sound confusing enough? There's also a chapter at the end of the book that says how you can create a time machine, but it would be really difficult, becuase it says you need a black hole. This book is facinating, yet it may be confusing to some people.

Not just for kids...
I got this book from the kids' section at our public library to help with some research I was doing. I haven't been a kid in decades, but I still absolutely loved Time & Space. Today, after having renewed the library book three times, I decided to order it from Amazon. It's something I want in my permanent library. I do not have a scientific mind, but that's okay. This book is written for the non-Einsteins among us.

CONFUSING, yet interresting
I had to make a report on black holes and time traveling. I read this book knowing nothing about scientific theories, trying to search for knowledge on the topic. It helped me a lot. It showed me how a time machine can be build. HOWEVER, it didn't based this theory on much. I was left dazed and confused. When I asked teachers to help me understand, they said it was just IMPOSSIBLE! Should this book be categorized as fiction? I hope not. My grade depends on it! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Synopsis For My Classroom Library
I had to review at least two books for reluctant readers for a Graduate class that I am taking and I would like to share my synopsis of this particular book. (I had to come up with a classroom library of at least 50 books from a variety of genres and award winners.)

This book is #4 in the series of The Magic School Bus; A Science Chapter Book. It includes black and white illustrations, some informational excerpts, and some written work by the kids in Ms. Frizzle's class. There is a lot to be learned in this story about their adventure through space. It can be enhanced by viewing the video The Magic School Bus Gets Lost in Space and/or by reading The Magic School Bus Hello Out There: A Sticker Book About the Solar System or The Magic School Bus Fact Finder: Space and the Planets. Children can even get on-line at and view the web site, www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus for a "space tour".
The book would be a good book for reluctant readers because it is easy to read with large print and easy vocabulary. It is also a fun story about an interesting topic. (The book itself lists a reading level of 3; ages 6-9.)

Make Space In Your Bookshelf For This Book!
When Carlos brings a mechanical dog, Rocko to school, Mrs. Frizzle has a field trip planned. This time, to space. But when they get to Mars for Carlos to get some Mars rocks out of no where comes a huge dust storm! Can Rocko and Carlos survive it? Learn about space and find out the answer to my question in Space Explorers! ... Read more