Reviews of Children of the Stars
Children of the Stars. Our Origin, Evolution and Destiny
Daniel R. Altschuler
Cambridge University Press, ISBN ISBN 0521812127
A library of science book club selection
From the Reviews
“…a slim, elegant and richly illustrated book for the general reader that somehow manages to convey the most important concepts of virtually all the scientific disciplines-astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, evolutionary theory, geology.”
New York Times Book Review
“…a marvelously presented scientific tour through the mysteries of the cosmos, looking at what science has to say about how we came to be here, and whether we are alone in the universe. Written in plain terms easily accessible to the nonspecialist general reader, and illustrated with beautiful color drawings and photograph, Children of the Stars is a remarkable and enthusiastically recommended vision of galactic enigmas and beyond. Highly recommended for personal, school, and community library astronomy reference collections.”
Library Bookwatch
“He tells how our species came to be, from the ashes of exploded stars to the rise of complex molecules to the role of massive impacts of space-borne debris in evolution…. The book is well written in a lively style … appropriate for those with strong backgrounds in the sciences. Such readers will glean much from the book.”
Choice
“With its combination of straightforward clear explanations and excellent and well-produced illustrations, all in colour, this is a concise exposition of the Earth story [and] its likely endings. Altschuler uses a wealth of quotations, bringing to life the histories he relates and keeping the text alive … He has a strong bias towards the issues that affect life today: the climate debate, the ozone problem, impacts and viruses. Because of this, the book will benefit from a wider circulation that among those interested in astronomy, geology and planetary science alone.”
Astronomy and Geophysics
“Altschuler brings a passion and attitude to his writing that makes Children of the Stars lively and personal. He delights in fascinating factoids…and provides humorous comments. Altschuler’s book is a fun read…would be a great gift to excite anyone.”
Nature
“For a general non-mathematical introduction we have Daniel Altschuler’s Children of the Stars, a dramatic and engaging overview of humanity’s place in the Universe, the evolution of life and the hazards to its continuation.”
New Scientist
“After reading Children of the Stars, you may feel a new sense of family when gazing at a clear night sky”
Library Of Science
(You can also read the reviews of the spanish version of Children of the Stars)