Rating: 
Summary: Great for Beginners
Review: When we bought our Meade telescope (see my review of that), we bought only two books: this one, and Turn Left at Orion (see my review of that). Both books were EXCELLENT.You'll never know about some of the fascinating night-sky objects if you don't get a book. This book has been a huge help in finding objects, understanding what we're viewing and appreciating to different objects in the sky. I strongly recommend Turn Left at Orion as well.
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Summary: Read this BEFORE buying your telescope!
Review: It has a really helpful guide to telescopes in it. This is an excellent book, and I am so glad I bought it! VERY helpful for a total novice like me.
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Summary: Nightwatch
Review: If there was only one book allowed per astronomer this would be the one I'd pick! It is inclusive to the enth detail without a lot of scientific jargon.
The charts are chuck full of detail for most beginners. I say beginners because you will probably have more sources and will thirst for more detail than this supplies.
Advice abounds and is 100% on point.
When the new editon came out I purchased it for my brother-in-law. I didn't want to part with my edition.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book for the those just starting out ...
Review: Great book for those that are looking for answers to amateur level questions. The equipment section is a good guide for making an equipment selection. Pictures are a nice revision from past editions. I gave it a 4 because of the limited star chart section. If the next revision would improve on this area, it would be 5 for me.
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Summary: Absolutely essential before you purchase a telescope
Review: This book is outstanding for two people: parents that are considering buying a telescope for their children, and adults that have an interest in becoming an amateur astronomer. This book will allow both groups of people to learn more about not only the stars, planets, and our universe, but to make intelligent decisions on purchases of such things as telescopes, binoculars, software programs, or more reading material. All too often a parent will buy the "blue light special" telescope for their children, yet the child is quickly frustrated with inferior optics, a wobbly stand, and no knowledge of what to look at and why. This book will allow those parents to grasp the basics of astronomy and therefore teach their children to appreciate the universe. Mr. Dickinson has presented material so that everyone can enjoy the night sky; whether viewed with a telescope, binoculars, or the naked eye. For those older children or adults, this book will allow them to jump headfirst into astronomy as a lifelong enjoyment. If you want to have only a basic understanding of the celestial bodies, this book is more than enough. But in the last few pages, Mr. Dickinson tells you where to go to find greater resources to further knowledge. Because of his recommendations and my own research, I've acquired the following items that I would also like to recommend: Sky Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion (a great resource for finding objects not usually in the astronomy magazines' monthly inserts) The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson (this is a "sequel" to Nightwatch and between these two books, they are used about 80% of the time compared to my other resources) Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno (I enjoy using this book to plan an observation session for "old favorites" or as a "highlights tour" for showing to those new to astronomy) Other resourses that are more in depth that you may want to consider if you become very serious about astronomy: Burnham's Celestial Handbook, Volumes 1, 2, & 3 Deep-Sky Companions : The Messier Objects A subscription to Sky & Telescope or Astronomy I can't say enough about Nightwatch. This may be your first, or your "first and last" book on astronomy. But either way, you will enjoy astronomy because of Terence Dickinson's writing.
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Summary: Outstanding book for beginners
Review: When I first got started in Astronomy, this book was recommended to me by a friend. What a great book. I still use it as a reference, and it also allowed me to get my 7 year old daughter interested as well. Would highly recommend this to anyone...
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Summary: Great overview of amateur astronomy
Review: This is one of the first books I bought when I got my first telescope a couple years ago. It provides a nice overview of just about everything the beginning amateur astronomer needs to know to get going in this hobby. It has breif descriptions of the universe and the different type of objects found in it. It gives excellent tips to learning the sky - such as using your hands to measure distances (I use this every time I find M81 & M82). There's a brief discussion of astronomy equipment and how to buy it. Although I don't use this "in the field", it is a nice reference to have around the house. I typically pick it up to check on something about once a month...
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Summary: an absolute essenttial for all enthusiasts
Review: Having recently purchased a telescope, I've been reading lots of astronomy books. Even though this one is very basic, overall I've found it the most useful. No math, no equations, but tons of helpful advice that will have you up and finding stars right away. I like the fact that he emphasizes how much you can see with binocs too. The star charts are very helpful and are printed so that they can be read by a red light while you're out observing. Lots of great information on how to buy a telescope too. The bound version is perfect for carrying with you to find objects in the sky. Well written, easy to follow and informative -- if you only buy one book, this should be it (although I'd have to add my all time favorite, The Stars by H.A. Ray, the only book that draws the constellations so that they actually look like pictures).
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Summary: Worthwhile but casual introduction to astronomy
Review: Nightwatch is a useful and broad introduction for the budding backyard astronomer. He covers all the basics - sky charts, observing techniques, equipment guides, and reviews of major celestial targets of all types. Dickinson's style is clear, concise, and unintimidating. Unfortunately, Nightwatch is a bit too simplistic, especially for a reader with a technical background. The author's choice not to include even trivial equations (e.g. elipitical orbits) was disappointing. Overall, though, the book serves its purpose in orienting a non-astronomer to this delightful science and hobby. tpm
October 9, 2001
Rating:
Summary: Good for the beginner but quickly outgrown
Review: I read this book after about four months or so of actively observing with a telescope and found it very well-written but also quite basic. It's great if you're a rank beginner but you will likely outgrow it quickly. Once you get a firm handle on the basic concepts of amateur astronomy, I don't see why you would need this book except for lending it to others to familiarize them with what you're doing! Intermediate or experienced amateurs looking to learn more need not apply.
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