William Tyler Olcott (1873–1936)

I love old science and especially astronomy books -- there is often a passion and energy to the writing which current scientific writing typically lacks. This book, however, is a weird one: the style bugs me, and I haven't quite figured out what it is ... I think it's the *seriousness*-unto-humorlessness of it all. Somehow it winds up being not much fun to read.

Still useful if you are observing with binoculars or a small telescope (say, a 3" refractor). The objects covered are all within range of that kind of equipment (obviously this book is pre-Dobsonian "revolution").… (mehr)