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Category >> | Sky Myths & Lore | |
Books about ancient celestial myths and legends from the world's cultures. | ||
Tales of the Night Sky Revealing the Mythologies and Folklore Behind the Constellations by Robin Kerod 128 pages, September 2020 Level: All
List Price: Astronomer and ordained ex-zen monk offers a modern approach to stargazing that reflects growing interest in popular and accessible science through mindfulness. Through a mix of both scientific fact and meditative insight, discover how the mysteries of the twinkly skies can connect us all more deeply to our inner selves. Noticing the bright constellations in the night skies above can foster a sense of curiosity, awe, and deep interconnection like nothing else on Earth. For each of the constellations, discover:
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Star Tales Expanded Edition by Ian Ridpath 160 pages, September 2018 Level: All Highly Recommended
List Price: Ian Ridpath, well-known astronomy writer and broadcaster, has been intrigued by the myths of the stars for many years. Star Tales is the first modern guide to combine all the fascinating myths in one book, illustrated with the beautiful and evocative engravings from two of the leading star atlases: Johann Bode's Uranographia of 1801 and John Flamsteed's Atlas Ceolestis of 1729. This is an excellent reference and the perfect gift for the armchair astronomer and those interested in classical mythology alike.
Amazon.com Customer Comment: I have read this book five times already, it is that amazing! It is a must for any amateur astronomer, as it will be one of the most satisfying reads in your career!
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Ancient Skies Constellation Mythology of the Greeks by David Weston Marshall 272 pages, August 2018 Level: All
List Price: The stars and constellations are among the few remaining objects that appear to us just as they appeared to our distant ancestors. From anywhere on Earth, a person may view the celestial panorama simply by stepping outside at night and gazing upward. This non-fiction narrative presents the tales of the forty-eight classical constellations, compiled from literature spanning a thousand years from Homer (c. 800 BC) to Claudius Ptolemy (c. 150 AD). These age-old tales have captured the human imagination from ancient times to the present, and through them we can examine the early practical astronomy, philosophical speculation on the cosmos, and fundamental moral beliefs of much of Western civilization. Illustrations and star charts carefully reconstructed from ancient sources lend a visual element and immerse the reader in the world of ancient cosmology and constellation mapping. Through Marshall's research and storytelling, Ancient Skies brings the belief systems of the classical world to shining life. Includes 75 b&w illustrations. About the Author: David W. Marshall, PhD, is a historian and archivist on the faculty of Texas Tech University, with 34 years of experience as a researcher, instructor, professor and archivist. He is the author of Mountain Man: John Colter, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the Call of the American West (Countryman Press, 2016). He lives in Lorenzo, Texas.
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Star Myths of the Greeks and Romans A Sourcebook by Theony Condos 288 pages, January 1997 Level: Scholar
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Amazon.com Customer Comment: Star Myths is an excellent sourcebook - for a serious student. If you're looking for entertaining and engaging writing, look elsewhere.
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Written in the Stars Constellations, Facts and Folklore by Alison Davies and Jesus Sotes Vicente (illustrator) 208 pages, August 2018 Level: Beginner
List Price: Uncover the patterns in the stars through the richly illustrated pages of this charming book as each entry brings each constellation to life in the magical artwork of this book. Beautifully packaged, stars are included throughout along with key information of where to spot each constellation in the night sky to help you to identify the celestial bodies above us. Visually stunning, Written in the Stars captures the beauty of the stars and is the perfect gift for novice stargazers and armchair astronomers alike.
Amazon.com Customer Comment: I've been on the lookout for a book that catalogues the constellations a little more compehensively than just your average book of Greek myths, and this volume fills that void admirably.
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The New Patterns in the Sky Myths and Legends of the Stars by Julius D.W. Staal 300 pages, September 1996 Level: All
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Amazon.com Customer Comment: We have several very good books that help us identify heavenly bodies and learn specifics about our corner of the galaxy. This book is a little different: the late Julius D. W. Staal offers the stories behind the stars, an approach that addresses the cultural, rather than the scientific, aspect of constellations.
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Uncharted Constellations Asterisms, Single-Source and Rebrands by John C. Barentine 240 pages, 1st Edition, April 2016 Level: All
List Price: The 16 constellations found in this volume fall into one or more of three broad categories: asterims, such as the Big Dipper in Ursa Major; single-sourced constellations introduced on surviving charts by a cartographer perhaps currying the favor of sponsors; and re-brands, new figures meant to displace existing constellations, often for an ideological reason. All of them reveal something unique about the development of humanity's map of the sky.
Amazon.com Customer Comment: Very good introduction to visual stargazing, and a required orientation to the night sky.
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The Lost Constellations A History of Obsolete, Extinct, or Forgotten Star Lore by John C. Barentine 528 pages, 1st Edition, October 2015 Level: All
List Price: Dr. Barentine addresses why some figures were tried and discarded, and also directs observers to how those figures can still be picked out on a clear night if one knows where to look. These lost constellations are described in great detail using historical references, enabling observers to rediscover them on their own surveys of the sky. Treatment of the obsolete constellations as extant features of the night sky adds a new dimension to stargazing that merges history with the accessibility and immediacy of the night sky.
Amazon.com Customer Comment: Very good introduction to visual stargazing, and a required orientation to the night sky.
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Star Stories Constellation Tales From Around the World by Anita Ganeri and Andy Wilx (illustrator) 96 pages, July 2019
Age Range: 8 to 11 years For thousands of years people have looked up to the night sky and told stories about the stars. These epic tales tell of vengeful gods and goddesses, of monsters and heroes. Others try to make sense of the natural world, or unravel the mysterious forces of the universe. This stunning book brings together 23 of these legends from all over the world: from Ancient Greece to North America, Egypt, China, India, and the South Pacific. Written by award-winning author Anita Ganeri and with beautifully detailed artwork by illustrator Andy Wilx, this is a magical book to be treasured for generations to come.
Reviewer's Comment: This beautiful book brings together legends from around the world that relate to constellations. There are stories about Heracles, Pegasus, Taurus, The Big Dipper and Orion. Each is just a few pages long but had enough information to be interesting to both adults and children. The illustrations are striking, in predominantly gold and warm colours, some of them covering whole pages, and some dotted around the text, so there is plenty to catch the eye.
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What We See in the Stars An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky by Kelsey Oseid 160 pages, 1st Edition, September 2017 Level: Beginner
List Price: Combining art, mythology, and science, What We See in the Stars gives readers a tour of the night sky through more than 100 magical pieces of original art, all accompanied by text that weaves related legends and lore with scientific facts. This beautifully packaged book covers the night sky's most brilliant features -- such as the constellations, the moon, the bright stars, and the visible planets -- as well as less familiar celestial phenomena like the outer planets, nebulae, and deep space. Adults seeking to recapture the magic of youthful stargazing, younger readers interested in learning about natural history and outer space, and those who appreciate beautiful, hand-painted art will all delight in this charming book.
Amazon.com Customer Comment: Extremely beautiful artwork and great, simple explanations of interesting and complicated astro topics. It's a real joy to read and we can't wait to give copies as gifts to our friends. Get the hard copy!
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They Dance in the Sky Native American Star Myths by Ray A. Williamson, Jean Guard Monroe, and Edgar Stewart 144 pages, July 2007 Level: Teen and Young Adult
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Amazon.com Customer Comment: This book is perfect as a bedtime story book for older kids. I used it on a camping trip and found that they became more interested in astronomy the longer I read the book.
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The Seven Sisters of the Pleiades Stories from Around the World by Munya Andrews 368 pages, August 2004 Level: All
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Amazon.com Customer Comment: An absolutely marvelous introduction to the Pleiades and their stories around the world.
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Star Names Their Lore and Meaning by Richard Hinckley Allen 563 pages, Revised Edition, December 1963 Level: All
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Amazon.com Customer Comment: If you need to know why stars and constellations have certain names and how those names came to be this is the book for you.
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A Walk Through the Heavens A Guide to Stars and Constellations and their Legends by Milton D. Heifetz and Wil Tirion 106 pages, 4th Edition, April 2017 Level: Beginner
List Price: This fourth edition adds color and a map of the Moon to its successful formula. Ancient myths and legends of the sky, some thousands of years old, are retold to add to the wonder and mystery of the stars. No equipment is needed to use this practical guide, just the naked eye and clear dark skies above - simply look up, relax and enjoy this journey across the sky.
Amazon.com Customer Comment: Very good introduction to visual stargazing, and a required orientation to the night sky.
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Skymaps.com/store -- Recommended Books & Products for Skywatchers |
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Getting Started
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