GENERAL ASTRONOMY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 9 (Supplement)

GENERAL ASTRONOMY

A RELIABLE TEXT-BOOK There is an unfortunate tendency in recent astronomical books designed for popular reading to deal almost exclusively with the great advances made by the science in recent years, neglecting to present a complete account of all phases of the subject. Theory is often blended with fact in such a manner that only an experienced astronomer can distinguish between the two. While such books "make splendid reading they are not of the class on which a reader with more than a superficial interest in the science can rely for the basis of his knowledge. " General Astronomy," written by the Astronomer Royal, Dr. H. Spencer .Tones, is not in this class. It is a textbook in which the tyro can have implicit faith. It is a comprehensive, accurate and easily readable presentation of our knowledge of the universe. The various subjects are dealt with in the fewest possible words, but with a lucidity that leaves nothing wanting. Mathematics have been almost entirely excluded. Although " General Astronomy" first appeared in 1922, the book was so thoroughly brought up to date that it was necessary to re-set all the matter, considerably expanding some of the chapters. There are over 100 diagrams amplifying the text, together with 28 splendid photographs of various objects of interest. " General Astronomy," by H. Spencer Jones. (Edward Arnold.)