You'll like this one Kearn. Earlier this year I went to the Qld University Book Sale and picked up some fantastic books at bargain basement prices (early Hartung for example for $1.50
)..but....I picked up a copy of "Comets: A Chronological History of Observations, Science, Myth and Folklore" by Donald K Yeomans (worked in the Jet Propulsion Lab at California Institure of Technology) 1991.
It is a fantastic read. It looks at the evolution of the beliefs of what a comet is, from Babylonian through to modern times. It traces the history and observations of comets. It looks at astronomers associated with comets and their discoveries as well as listing all naked eye comets from the 11th Century BC through to AD 1700 with a brief summary or discription of each comet. I've really enjoyed reading it. A fascinating reference book that's for sure.