Simple Stargazing by Anton Vamplew

published in the UK by HarperCollins on 3 October 2005
in the US by the Smithsonian on 1 March 2006
and in Spain by Grijalbo Mondadori Sa. on 30 November 2006

"...a lively and engaging style."
"Anton clearly knows and loves the subject, and he successfully
conveys his enthusiasm to the reader."
"It takes a special kind of book to invigorate a veteran stargazer, but this one certainly revitalised my interest in the basics of observing for sheer pleasure." - BBC Sky at Night Magazine

BBC Sky at Night Magazine full book review (JPG 718k)

A Book that takes a Fresh Look at the Night Sky

So, what is it all about? Why another beginner's book? Here's the story... I have been interested in astronomy since before I can really remember. Gazing out of my bedroom window I would wonder about the stars, planets and the Moon. Eventually I had enough of my ignorance and off I went to find out all I could. I aquired quite a number of books by UK space guru Patrick Moore, each filling me with a sense of wonder. What a journey I was about to begin. Who would have thought my path was to lead unexpectedly to... here.

The trouble, you see, is that space has a fascination for me in that I have an enquiring mind, and space provides boundless questions - some with fixed answers, some shifting and some in the quasi-religious-philosophical. It's all a splendid mix. How can you go wrong with something that is forever growing and evolving and encapsulating such a broad range of topics? Sounds like the Universe!

To quote Douglas Adams: "Space is big, really big". The whole cosmic thingy is indeed gigantinormous and filled with incredibly varying sized objects at unimaginable distances. All these conjour feelings of awe that I feel are missing in many of today's otherwise excellent starter guides to space - and hence this book. Can you really imagine the distance between the Earth and Alpha Centauri? Have a go!

So, before you explore the Universe with Simple Stargazing - Plough (or Big Dipper), Orion Nebula, or abandoned constellation of Felis, the Cat - let your imagination run riot... fly off the Earth - what would it look like as you leave our home planet. Can you imagine what the Mars astronauts will feel as they watch the Earth shrink to a dot? Not my cup of tea. Actually, suddenly I feel a little thirsty.

Starry Skies to you all!

Happy Reading,

Anton