Star Maps: History, Artistry, and Cartography (Springer Praxis Books / Popular Astronomy)
From the reviews: "Lucky me. I just received Star Maps: History, Artistry, and Cartography by Nick Kanas (Springer, 2007). This is one thorough and highly illustrated book! … In addition to numerous black-and-white illustrations, three sections (totaling 76 pages) reproduces star maps in color. Several appendices and a glossary round out this terrific book. If you’re interested in acquiring some of the magnificent maps Kanas describes, be sure to read Appendix A, ‘Collecting celestial maps and prints.’" (Michael Bakich, Astronomy Magazine, November, 2007) "This work will undoubtedly become a standard reference work for this study. … this is an extraordinary book at a very reasonable price by one of our own members who is a world class observer and a highly skilled writer. I’m sure you will enjoy reading it. … Well done, Nick. Your efforts will be appreciated for many years to come." (Bill Warren, California Map Society Newsletter, Vol. 2K+7 (4), 2007) "This California psychiatry professor has poured decades of personal fascination with old star maps into a comprehensive survey, which goes from antiquity through the 20th century. … More than 200 illustrations, 76 in color, are nicely presented for a book of modest … format. … An appendix contains wise advice for anyone collecting antiquarian star maps." (Roger Sinnott, Sky & Telescope, March, 2008) "Today’s interplanetary probes and space stations make it easy to overlook that it all began by simply looking up at the sky and charting the stars. … As you might expect in a book on maps, the many illustrations (76 in colour) are well reproduced … . In the forward, Norman Thrower (UCLA) opines that this work will become ‘an important reference work’ for those interested in the history of stellar cartography. I heartily agree. It’s a thumping good read too!" (Steve Ringwood, Astronomy Now, March, 2008) "Dr. Kanas is the author of a wonderful book: Star Maps … . His enthusiasm leaps from every page of this detailed investigation of the development of celestial prints and star atlases. It chronicles attempts to chart the stars from ancient times to today. … As well as exploring the changing equipment in astronomy and cartography, the book covers the philosophies and personalities that saw star charts develop from images of gods and animals into the more scientific … maps in use today." (www.astronomy.com, February, 2008) "Nick Kanas, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco who clearly loves antique star maps, has written a wonderfully attractive and informative book for collectors and aficionados. … Readers will certainly appreciate the many illustrations in this book, a good number of them in full color." (Deborah Jean Warner, The Portolan, Spring, 2008) "The book is profusely illustrated, with some charts in color. It includes mapping of the 48 constellations that were listed by Ptolemy in classic times and are still retained … . Kanas charts the sky models of the classical, medieval, and modern arrangements of the solar and stellar systems throughout recorded history, and their rationales. Because this volume covers much of astronomy before the physics of Newton and others, it is well recommended for most libraries. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty." (A. R. Upgren, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (7), 2008) "In this book Dr Nick Kanas has provided a comprehensive guide which should help collectors, librarians and historians through this difficult but rewarding subject. … This book covers an important division of the history of science and of mapping, and on the whole it does it very well. … a book that will rightly take its place as a useful reference source for anyone concerned with the history of celestial mapping." (Peter Whitfield, IMCoS Journal, Spring, 2008) "We … have in this comprehensive book by Kanas, a new and timely source for context and guidance on the full scope of celestial imagery. … a primer on the history of astronomy for a print collector drawn to the celestial domain, as well as a practical guide to the identification and understanding of these attractive maps and charts. … Kanas’s book is an important compendium of celestial imagery. … And it is reasonably priced." (Michael Mendillo, Imago Mundi, Vol. 60 (2), 2008) "Nick Kanas, is an avid collector of celestial maps and charts. He has taken his many years of collecting expertise and condensed it into a marvellous book on this fascinating aspect of enjoying the night sky. His book is filled with 207 colour and black-and-white images of celestial maps from all ages. … very easy to follow and a real joy to read. … I highly recommend this book to students of the history of astronomy or anyone interested in observing the night sky." (Robert A. Garfinkle, The Observatory, Vol. 128 (1205), August, 2008) "Star Maps is perhaps the most comprehensive treatment of astronomical cartography since ... 1932. Star Maps is a 380-plus page, inch-thick slab of well-written information. ... Throughout, the book is well illustrated with monochrome photographs accompanying the description of individual publications and topics. ... In summary, Prof. Kanas has produced a superb addition for the library of anyone interested in the history of astronomy. Star Maps is likely to become the standard reference on astronomical cartography for many years hence." (Kevin Kilburn, SHA Newsletter, Issue 17, October, 2008)