Reviews

Cosmic Challenge: The Ultimate Observing List for Amateurs by Philip S. Harrington

This guide to observing the heavens beckons backyard astronomers to find 187 targets using instruments ranging from bi­noculars to monster scopes. Cambridge Univ. Press, 2011, 469 p., $45.    

Discoverers of the Universe: William and Caroline Herschel by Michael Hoskin

An in-depth account of the lives of sibling astronomers William and Caroline Herschel, who discovered Uranus, comets galore and much more. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 237 p., $29.95.        

How Old is the Universe? by David A. Weintraub

An astronomer outlines the research showing that the universe is 13.7 billion years old. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 370 p., $29.95.           

Seven Wonders of the Universe That You Probably Took for Granted by C. Renée James

A lighthearted tour of everyday phenomena like light, time and gravity that also explores what makes Earth special and the evolution of life. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2011, 240 p., $25.    

Meteorites by Caroline Smith, Sara Russell and Gretchen Benedix

A well-illustrated overview of the science and (literal) impacts of these space rocks. Firefly Books, 2011, 112 p., $19.95.

Book Review: The 4 Percent Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality by Richard Panek

Review by Ron Cowen.

Book Review: The Natural Navigator: A Watchful Explorer’s Guide to a Nearly Forgotten Skill by Tristan Gooley

Review by Sid Perkins.

Book Review: Kraken: The Curious, Exciting, and Slightly Disturbing Science of Squid by Wendy Williams

Review by Daniel Strain.

Craving Earth by Sera L. Young

Human biology and culture are interwoven in this exploration of pica, the craving to eat clay, dirt, starch and other nonfood substances. Columbia Univ. Press, 2011, 228 p., $29.50.

The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds by Richard Crossley

This illustrated field guide shows each bird in lifelike scenes using the author’s photos. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 529 p., $35.

Fast Car Physics by Chuck Edmondson

Fans of fast wheels and science alike will get a charge from this look at motor sports by a physicist and amateur race car driver. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 2011, 229 p., $29.95.

Loving + Hating Mathematics by Reuben Hersh and Vera John-Steiner

Tales of mathematicians’ engagement with their subject bring to life this examination of the human and cultural aspects of math. Princeton Univ. Press, 2011, 416 p., $29.95.