Astronomy / Space Looking for a good book on astronomy

[Iskariot]

There are so many astronomy buffs on this forum so perhaps some of you can give me some advise on this.

I am looking for a comprehensive, popular, up to date, well illustrated, not too technical book on astronomy. Stuff like the classification of stars and planets, our solar system, exoplanets, evolution of the universe and out solar system, life cycle of the stars etc. should be described, perhaps even some serious speculation about extraterrestrial life, (near) future space travel etc.
Price is not a concern.

 

[Dusty]

Actually I second this and eBooks if possible or any decent ipad apps

 

[Surfinjo]

For general readers, I think specific subjects can be a bit of a problem, mainly because different people have such different agenda and styles.

Hawking, for example, though incredibly interesting, I find, tends to try to make very the complicated is a sort of conversation. It's fine, if you like that sort of conversation, if you see what I mean?

Also, it will depend so much upon the writer's core subject. Hawking is very much the Oxbridge physicist.

Currently my personal favourite author in that fiend is Prof Brian Cox. He talks directly to you and doesn't try to be you best pal. Sort of, take it or leave it type.

He's now releasing another book: Human Universe. 9/10/14. But he has loads more.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Profe...8&page=1&rh=n:266239,p_27:Professor Brian Cox

For specific topics, it really depends on what are your interests and how much you need to know.

To make an analogy, you can knw everything about cars, makes, histories, versions performance and so on, but know nothing about mechanics. The two subjects are entirely separate and only a jack of all, master of none will try to learn everything.

Study of the universe is like that. We mortals simply don't need to know the maths or so much more. We need to know the mechanics, an over view of the processes, the history and the predicted future.

Hawking's Book Brief History of time is excellent, though rather laborious.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Brian..._authors_browse-bin:Brian Cox|Stephen Hawking

Though quite old, this is generally a standard text on where the universe is going:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Five-Ages-Universe-Eternity/dp/0684865769


Good luck

 

[Iskariot]

Thanks for the advise.
I decided to buy the recent 10th edition of Universe by Roger Freedman, Robert Geller , William J. Kaufmann.

It is a comprehensive illustrated 800 page textbook for students and I was able to buy it at a 30% discount.

 

[Surfinjo]

Thanks for the advise.
I decided to buy the recent 10th edition of Universe by Roger Freedman, Robert Geller , William J. Kaufmann.

It is a comprehensive illustrated 800 page textbook for students and I was able to buy it at a 30% discount.

From a few brief reviews that would seem an excellent choice.