Joseph Ashbrook (1918–1980)

I read this book many years ago. I cannot rate it too highly. It contains a varied and fascinating array of astronomical topics, gathered from a life-times collection of columns from "Sky and Telescope" magazine. The author is highly knowledgeable on his subject, however, even more importantly, he is an excellent author. He writes in an engaging and informative manner that brings each topic to life. It can be read by an amateur astronomer, or anyone interested in history, or simply anyone else.

This is a miscellany culled from Ashbrook's "Astronomical Scrapbook" series which appeared in the Sky & Telescope magazine. There is much information here on (mainly) lesser-known astronomers, eccentrics, telescopes and fascinating background information on a colourful variety of individuals involved in astronomy. A fascinating read.