Rating: 
Summary: A 'sampling' of Raymo's best...
Review: Raymo's latest book is not a star atlas designed to be carried out-of-doors under a dark night sky. Though it has star maps (arranged by season), it is clearly not _that_ kind of guide to the night sky. Raymo hints at his motivation on page X of the introduction:"We spend out evenings indoors in front of the television or computer monitor, oblivious of the beauty and terror of the celestial abyss." Raymo's intent is to reintroduce us to that beauty and terror; to renew our (a collective "our;" the human race) intimacy with the night sky. Organizationally, the 12 chapters of the book are arranged into four broad sections by season. Each section begins with several all-sky charts introducing us to the major constellations of that season. The chapters associated with the four sections delve deeper, covering such topics as the distances to stars, eclipses, comets, meteor showers, etc. The major attraction of this book is not the science, though the science is accurate and delivered in digestible portions. The major attraction of "Night Sky" is the way Raymo delivers the content: with the wide-eyed wonder of a child, with a deep respect and secular appreciation for the beauty of the heavens. His blend of science with poetry, history, culture, and music is smooth and never forced. Seasoned Raymo readers will note that he has recycled much of his material from earlier (and arguably better) books, but that should not dissuade. Night Sky contains the best of Raymo's naturalist yearnings for the ineffable attraction of things celestial. As he discusses the "usual suspects" (Hubble Deep Field, the attrition of stars due to light pollution, etc.), he is convincing in his deep sense of awe and humility. He has an enviable ability to turn a phrase and communicate via allegory. His polished presentation of the allegory of an island of knowledge in a sea of mystery is beautiful. This piece first appeared in "Skeptics and True Believers" and is presented in this book in a more abbreviated form. It's his answer to those who think that science removes the mystery and romance from life. In summary, I recommend this book. My highest recommendation is to those who have not read Raymo before. If you are new to this author, read this book. Then be ready to move on to "The Soul of the Night," "Natural Prayers," or "Skeptics and True Believers." If you have already read Raymo's best, you'll still enjoy "Intimate Look," but perhaps for different reasons. Raymo is a kindred spirit to all who appreciate the simple pleasures of gazing at the Pleiades through binoculars, or watching a sunset, or huddling in a blanket while waiting for Perseid meteors. This book captures that spirit.
Rating: 
Summary: An intellectually stimulating writing style
Review: The text comprising An Intimate Look At The Night Sky combines practical information with an intellectually stimulating writing style that challenges the readers' imagination and takes simply stargazing to a whole new level. Award-winning science writer and columnist Chet Raymo elegant and informative narrative offers a celebration of the night sky that will imbue the readers with a personal connection to the wonder of the heavens as it enlarges their concepts and appreciation of a universe that stretches to infinity. Enhanced with black-and-white photography and star charts, An Intimate Look At The Night Sky is an engaging, lyrical, soundly science based, and very highly recommended collection of essays that blend history, mythology, religion, literature, and astronomy.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book; beautifully written; you'll learn a lot
Review: There are 24 star maps (and many pictures); each of them beautifully illustrated, in this small book. Each of them highlights what can be seen with the naked eyes throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. Together with the maps Chet includes commentaries and tips on how to identify planets,stars, and constellations. Unlike few other sky guide books that merely teaches star hopping, Chet tries to stimulate readers imagination; inviting them to journey into the unseen and unperceivable, to marvel at the modern physics and be awed by the ancients wisdom. This book will sustain anyone's interest in astronomy for a long time.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Worth Acquiring
Review: This book has so much misinformation and so many outright errors that it needs to be rewritten by a competent astrophysicist. The statement about "each galaxy containing one trillion stars" is absolute nonsense; not only do galaxies differ greatly in size, but few will be that large. Similarly, Raymo's description on page 60 of the Sun manages to get almost everything wrong. The writing style can be best described as 'pretentious.' Raymo was trying so hard to be profound that the effort was evidently overwhelming.
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