Stars and Planets

This was my favourite astronomy text book. Full of useful information, star charts, photographic plates and everything else a young amateur astronomer would need. My copy is well travelled and well thumbed.

If you're looking for plot and twists - don't pick this book up, you will be vastly disappointed.
It contains several star maps and constellation guides, each section has a nice write-up of the particular object being discussed -
While it doesn't really go into the history of how any particular object gained it's name, this guide does tell you how the stars are oriented in each of the objects named.
If you are looking for plot and excitment, skip this one. If you are looking for some solid information and help to identify the things you stare at each night - give this little gem a try. (well, not so little..463 pages of fine print packed with inf)

This book has a lot of detail and is an excellent reference work, but it is too small for actual field work. I prefer beginner astronomy guides like NightWatch by Terence Dickinson. However, it is an excellent help for learning constellations and approximately where they are.

This one is grossly out of date, of course, but I keep it around because I first learned the constellations as depicted in this edition (based on H.A. Rey's charming way of connecting the "dots").

I kept the rating at a 5. It was a 5 when I bought it. I discovered I have a newer editioin, but will keep this edition for the illustrations.

A keeper, great info. NOTE: Cover says "UP TO DATE THROUGH 2010"
Found out today that I have an earlier edition of this book. Plan to keep earlier edition.

A trusty guide for amateur astronomers.