Stargazer

_Stargazer: The Life and Times of the Telescope_ by Fred Watson is an epic, far-ranging history of one of the most important instruments in science. Watson traced the origin and development of the telescope from nearly four hundred years ago, when Dutch craftsmen Hans Lipperhey first brought to the......more

This was a great read right up until the last chapter. Unnecessary yapping about the “Big Bang” and “millions of years.” Overall, good book, but the end got away from the historical events side of it, and overall it was rushed.......more

This lukewarm history trots along at an even, unexciting tempo, even when it feels like the author was rushing to meet a deadline. We meet and greet many heroes and villains in the story of the telescope, but after 1800 the story becomes a summary. I would have liked even more technical discussion o......more

This book does what it sets out to do: it details the broad history of the telescope. Some have complained that the book is very dry. I don't see why every book has to be heart-pounding or all-consuming; I enjoyed it precisely because it was a book I could put down. I thought Watson showed the genera......more

If you are interested in the history of astronomy, as I am, this book is likely to be an enjoyable addition to the big science of the universe as it tells the story of the humble instrument responsible for the discoveries. I did not look closely at the cover when I was given this book, and I origina......more