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Cosmos
"Cosmos" explores the celestial panorama one step at a time and by illustrating the planets, moons, stars, nebulae, white dwarfs, black holes and other exotica that populate the heavens with over 450 of the most spectacular and up-to-date photographs and illustrations.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 30, 2006
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835 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 24, 2021
Well I was doing so well - ignoring all the books as I was sorting- up till I hit this one but you have to say its a hard one to ignore as its a huge book - one of those that you have to rest it on something to read otherwise you will do yourself an injury.
But its not just the size (and weight) of the book that captures your attention it is the detailed images it contains. This is a celebration of some of the most amazing images of the cosmos around up captured in recent years (It seems that there is a constant flow of ever more impressive ones to the point I wonder how long it will be before this book is either superseded or replaced).
If you ever look up in to the sky on a clear night and ever wondered what is out there - well this will not answer any of those questions but it will show you there for what ever you think or imagine there is still a whole lot more. This is one of those books you just want to lose yourself in the pages off.
But its not just the size (and weight) of the book that captures your attention it is the detailed images it contains. This is a celebration of some of the most amazing images of the cosmos around up captured in recent years (It seems that there is a constant flow of ever more impressive ones to the point I wonder how long it will be before this book is either superseded or replaced).
If you ever look up in to the sky on a clear night and ever wondered what is out there - well this will not answer any of those questions but it will show you there for what ever you think or imagine there is still a whole lot more. This is one of those books you just want to lose yourself in the pages off.
August 21, 2019
This very large, over-sized coffee-table book takes readers on a tour of planets, moons, asteroids, stars, nebulae, white dwarfs, black holes, and other assorted inhabitants of the universe. The informative text, coupled with spectacular illustrations and photographs, begins with our home world, then moves through the solar system and on into interstellar space. Finally, readers consider galaxy clusters, filaments and voids, and dark matters in a section on deep space and time. A glossary follows the text.
Readers with an interest in space science and space exploration will find much to appreciate here.
Highly recommended.
Readers with an interest in space science and space exploration will find much to appreciate here.
Highly recommended.
July 25, 2010
Published in 2006, Giles Sparrow's Cosmos is what a member of our younger generation would describe as 'awesome.' O.M.G. they'd be quite right. Even though I'm 95% tea total these days, if I was going to buy myself a coffee table book, this is THE ONE.
It's the size of one of Cecil B. DeMille's stone tablets from his movie The Ten Commandments! Inside is a collection of the most brilliant colour photographs of our solar system objects taken by our space probes from Soviet Venera craft to H.S.T. and the latest infra-red telescopes. Almost every page is a mind blower of photographs. However, Giles Sparrow accompanies all the illustrations with up to date information. The book starts with our Earth/Moon and the minor planets, then the sun and out to the farthest reaches of the solar system, accompanied by the data from Voyager I & II plus Cassini & New Horizon probes etc.
The birth, life and deaths of stars, open clusters, planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, supergiants and supernovae and our milky way complete the interstellar section before we travel intergalactic and explore our local group of galaxies and galaxy evolution.
The final section travels into deep space with galaxy clusters, filaments and voids, dark matter and everything as far as the Hubble telescope can see. A truly amazing book this, priced at £50 and worth every penny, even though I only borrowed this one from my local astronomy society library.
It's the size of one of Cecil B. DeMille's stone tablets from his movie The Ten Commandments! Inside is a collection of the most brilliant colour photographs of our solar system objects taken by our space probes from Soviet Venera craft to H.S.T. and the latest infra-red telescopes. Almost every page is a mind blower of photographs. However, Giles Sparrow accompanies all the illustrations with up to date information. The book starts with our Earth/Moon and the minor planets, then the sun and out to the farthest reaches of the solar system, accompanied by the data from Voyager I & II plus Cassini & New Horizon probes etc.
The birth, life and deaths of stars, open clusters, planetary nebulae, white dwarfs, supergiants and supernovae and our milky way complete the interstellar section before we travel intergalactic and explore our local group of galaxies and galaxy evolution.
The final section travels into deep space with galaxy clusters, filaments and voids, dark matter and everything as far as the Hubble telescope can see. A truly amazing book this, priced at £50 and worth every penny, even though I only borrowed this one from my local astronomy society library.
November 10, 2013
A light read the book is not - it is HUGE - The book is over 40cm tall and printed on high quality paper - but rather than being a wrist breaking monster it is a sumptuous and fascinating read around - yes you guessed it the cosmos. The author has taken full advantage of the not only the printed area but also the quality of the printing to bring you amazing images. you really have to almost re-read the book several times to take everything in as i would find each time i scanned the page I would find something new to read.
It is not the easiest of books to home let alone read but if you have a sturdy desk to read it on its well worth it. I will admit i picked up my copy of it second hand - brand new its rather expensive - but if you can get a copy to read its well worth it, it may not tell you anything new but sure does make for some amazing imagery.
It is not the easiest of books to home let alone read but if you have a sturdy desk to read it on its well worth it. I will admit i picked up my copy of it second hand - brand new its rather expensive - but if you can get a copy to read its well worth it, it may not tell you anything new but sure does make for some amazing imagery.
December 7, 2012
This book is so marvelous I can't stop looking and reading it once a month.
November 17, 2019
Stunning book with incredible photos, very well structured going from the planets through the stars up to deep universe. The size is a bit prohibitive factor, but it is well worth for the detailed pictures of the universe.
Unfortunately, the Czech translation is horrible disgrace, littered with wrong translations of astronomical objects and numbers (!), mixed or doubled picture descriptions etc. It boggles my mind that someone goes though with publication of something so great as this book and ruins it with blatant amateurism.
Considering purchase of original version and disassembly of the translation into posters.
Unfortunately, the Czech translation is horrible disgrace, littered with wrong translations of astronomical objects and numbers (!), mixed or doubled picture descriptions etc. It boggles my mind that someone goes though with publication of something so great as this book and ruins it with blatant amateurism.
Considering purchase of original version and disassembly of the translation into posters.
February 23, 2018
I re-read parts of this book like every year. It is a gigantic book, full of beautiful imagery and facts about space you’ve never heard about before.
May 26, 2021
Libro precioso, no hace falta ser astrónomo aficionado para disfrutarlo. Explica cada planeta y satélite mayor de nuestro Sistema Solar sin ahondar en materia y de forma amena.
September 5, 2009
What a beautiful volume! This book provides a view of the cosmos, with amazing photos and fine visual representations. The author notes (page 6): "The aim of this book is to help make sense of our crowded, chaotic cosmos. . . .Along the route of our celestial odyssey, we attempt not only to explain the nature of the different objects we encounter, but also try to put them in the wider context of history--their own, and that of the cosmos as a whole."
This is a massive volume, weighing a lot, with very large sized pages. This format allows much space to depict wonderful photos and representations on the cosmos. And for a pretty reasonable price at that!
The first part of the book focuses on the "Interplanetary." Each planet and other characters in the Solar system (such as the asteroids and moons) get space here. For instance, the treatment of Earth features photos that illustrate landforms, tectonics, and life. Only a few pages, but a lot of stuff is jammed into that space.
Part II is entitled "Interstellar," and focuses on the stars, with some enchanting images of the Milky Way galaxy, star clusters, nebulae, and so on. Visually stunning.
Part III, in turn, explores the "Intergalactic." The "local group" (including The Milky Way, Andromeda, Magellanic Clouds, etc.) leads this segment of the volume off. Other galaxies are also presented, with this part ending with a consideration of galactic evolution.
The fourth, and final, part of the book looks at "Deep Space and Time." This concludes with an examination of "The Big Bang" and "The End."
For those interested in where Earth fits into the larger universe, this is an interesting book. It is an accessible work; one need not be an astronomer to appreciate this. A wonderful work!
This is a massive volume, weighing a lot, with very large sized pages. This format allows much space to depict wonderful photos and representations on the cosmos. And for a pretty reasonable price at that!
The first part of the book focuses on the "Interplanetary." Each planet and other characters in the Solar system (such as the asteroids and moons) get space here. For instance, the treatment of Earth features photos that illustrate landforms, tectonics, and life. Only a few pages, but a lot of stuff is jammed into that space.
Part II is entitled "Interstellar," and focuses on the stars, with some enchanting images of the Milky Way galaxy, star clusters, nebulae, and so on. Visually stunning.
Part III, in turn, explores the "Intergalactic." The "local group" (including The Milky Way, Andromeda, Magellanic Clouds, etc.) leads this segment of the volume off. Other galaxies are also presented, with this part ending with a consideration of galactic evolution.
The fourth, and final, part of the book looks at "Deep Space and Time." This concludes with an examination of "The Big Bang" and "The End."
For those interested in where Earth fits into the larger universe, this is an interesting book. It is an accessible work; one need not be an astronomer to appreciate this. A wonderful work!
February 27, 2015
This is a gorgeous giant of a book, with absolutely stunning pictures printed on heavy, high-quality paper. This is the kind of thing I can stare at for extended periods of time. It works it's way through the solar system, in exquisite detail, and then works through the cosmos taking an ever broader view until it covers time from the big bang to the variety of possible endings. It covers the types of galaxies, star formation and death, the large-scale structure of galactic clusters, and dark matter and dark energy. The science seems pretty solid, and is written in an easy to understand manner. Any fan of astronomy would appreciate this massive tome.
September 10, 2016
Just one word --> Superb!
March 8, 2024
What can I say, I started reading this book due to an amateur interest in the great cosmos and all the wonders it contained. But reading through this concrete slab of a book - so large and heavy I resorted to sitting on the floor with it so as not to put my back out holding it up - it has covered from our very own planet, to galaxies and superclusters, and to black holes and dark matter.
It’s a phenomenal book filled with mind blowing facts even those with limited space knowledge like myself can understand, and such detailed and intricate photos to dazzle your eyes.
A must read for anyone with even the slightest interest in the great cosmos.
It’s a phenomenal book filled with mind blowing facts even those with limited space knowledge like myself can understand, and such detailed and intricate photos to dazzle your eyes.
A must read for anyone with even the slightest interest in the great cosmos.
February 14, 2018
This book is by far the largest I own. I mean just in size - it's physically huge. Two or three times as tall as other books I own. This is a giant book. But what better topic for a giant book to cover than our entire cosmos?
This is also probably the most gorgeous book I own. The size is used fully to print huge photos of stars, galaxies, nebulas, and other features of space. This is one of the most fascinating books I own and definitely the most visually appealing.
Even if it is a pain to move every time I change apartments.
This is also probably the most gorgeous book I own. The size is used fully to print huge photos of stars, galaxies, nebulas, and other features of space. This is one of the most fascinating books I own and definitely the most visually appealing.
Even if it is a pain to move every time I change apartments.
May 24, 2020
Una auténtica joya. Las imágenes se ven con tanto detalle y son tan bonitas que te hacen preguntarte si no habrán sido diseñadas a ordenador. De hecho, conocí este libro gracias a ellas. Sin embargo, el texto que lo acompaña es igual de sorprendente, pues está escrito con rigurosidad y con un lenguaje bello y culto. Empieza desde lo más cercano y cierto hasta acabar por lo más lejano, inverosímil y misterioso. Leer un libro de astronomía siempre ha suscitado preguntas en mí, pero este lo ha hecho de manera especialmente profunda. Agradezco a mis amigos y amigas que me lo regalaron.
October 23, 2018
The book looks and feels amazing! It's one of my favorite books that I own! It's huge and has amazing photos. Too bad there are loads of spelling mistakes, inconsistencies and other issues in the content... Makes the books a lot less valuable to read than to look at
October 21, 2017
An enourmous sized book full of breathtaking photos!
February 24, 2018
Amazing celestial and gorgeous
May 27, 2020
A wonderful book if a little dated I was drawn to it for its charm.
read my full review at: http://letterstocassiandotherfolks.bl...
read my full review at: http://letterstocassiandotherfolks.bl...
October 17, 2020
Must read and addition to your collection for anyone with a passing interest of Astronomy
March 10, 2021
Incredible pictures of the cosmos and since I have limited knowledge of astronomy, learned a few things.
February 10, 2022
If this seems like the type of thing you will like, then you will like it. It is packed with more interesting facts than you'd expect, and many of the images are astonishing.
December 6, 2023
my dad’s had this massive book around since i was a toddler and i’ve read it cover to cover a gazillion times
June 17, 2015
This is a massive book. I picked up 16 books at the library. Cosmos was carried under one arm and the other 15 fit in my library bag. In order to read it, you need to find a comfortable chair, a large place to lay the book and a light right next you! It's a fabulous text - everything is explained well and simplified as much as possible, I imagine. Pictures are stunning. Diagrams and images are useful. You could read this book, then start over and read it again and learn just as much the second time through.
July 29, 2009
The best overall book I have ever read on astronomy. This should be called "the Hubble book" because most of the pictures (and all of the best ones) are from the Hubble Space Telescope. The pictures are huge and stunningly reproduced. The text uses hard science in its explanation but delivers it clearly and simply. It explains everything from planets to stars to galaxies to clusters to black holes and dark matter.
March 21, 2008
Absolutely marvelous book of astronomy. It has breathtaking Hubble photographs, and exquisite graphics that show the sublime sizes and distances of these objects, and almost render intelligible the vast timescales involved. The text is good too. The sections on the planets are a remarkable experience.
October 14, 2014
Amazing large-format coffee-table book illustrating the universe. It contains high-resolution images, printed in very large size, of almost all the major elements in the universe.
If anyone likes flipping through astronomy-type books or you have kids in your household, this is a must have (but do note that this is large book).
If anyone likes flipping through astronomy-type books or you have kids in your household, this is a must have (but do note that this is large book).
July 28, 2008
Stunning photographs. This book is very large and will not fit on most book shelves but I wouldn't want the pictures any smaller. It's a must have for our library. Amazing pictures of the planets!
December 4, 2012
The biggest book, in terms of surface area, that I've ever seen. Full of stunning photos and quick statistics on a myriad of interstellar bodies. Quite possibly the greatest coffee table book of all time.
Currently reading
May 14, 2009Constantly reading, maybe?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews