A British astronomer and writer (see his other books on the moon and the planets) presents a good introductory survey of the studies man has made of the stars from ancient times to the present day, and the feelings man has had towards the heavenly bodies. Divided into three parts- past, present and future, Mr. Moore's book counts as the past those eons between Creation and the making of the first telescopes. Filled as they were with superstitions until the time of Galileo, Kepler and Copernicus, they are placed in the perspective that also defines the character of man in relation to religious beliefs. From the present and the use of the giant telescopes we have learned the fact that there may be other far more- the inner meaning of Saturn's outer rings, solar systems such as ours, and the background with which to Judge the validity of flying saucer reports. The future of course will see man in outer space. Fine for the interested layman.