Interesting Books in 2004

Since we all have an interest in Astronomy and people often have several similar interests, I thought it might be fun to swap a short reading list of books that we have really enjoyed reading over the past year. Not only books on astro stuff, but especially books on non-astro too.

Here are two books which I particularly enjoyed:

1. "Newton's Tryanny" by Clark and Clark subtitled "The suppressed scientific discoveries of Stephen Gray and John Flamsteed". An absolutely amazing read. You won't be able to put it down. "<>"

2. "The Dinosaur Heresies" by Robert Bakker. This book was Published in the late eighties but I have only just come across it at one of my favourite places - second hand book store. Reviewed at http://www.dinox.freeserve.co.uk/reviews/revdinher.htm
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So what gems did you come across? Choice of subject completely open.

An astronomy book that I would recommend to everyone is "The Perfect Machine," by Ronald Florence. It is a comprehensive history of the development and construction of the 200" telescope at Palomar. It gives details on all the pitfalls that occurred in constructing the mirror, plus insights into the personalities of Hale and Hubble, among others. Originally published in 1994, I picked up a used copy off Amazon last year that was inexpensive.

Gary

James,

I read "Flags of Our Fathers" a couple of years ago, and thought it was one of the most moving war books I've read. I had some e-mail correspondence with James Bradley, and he seems like a nice guy. He can be contacted through his web site.

As you realize, the conquest of Iwo Jima did a lot to shorten the Pacific War. Specifically, it enabled the bombing campaign to be stepped up which eventually brought Japan to the peace table without an invasion. (Except for some American stubborness, I think this might could have been accomplished without dropping the atomic bombs, but that's another topic.) My dad was in training as a landing craft driver in the Navy at this time. This would obviously have been extremely hazardous duty during an invasion of Japan, in which many thousands would have died on both sides. Being born 16 years after the war ended, I have always felt that I may owe my very existence to the many brave marines who fought and died in that battle.

I'll check out "Into the Rising Sun."

Gary