Finished reading last night. In my humble opinion, this is a very good book. For a more educated review, see the Sep/Oct issue of Australian Sky & Telescope.
To set the scene, I use "Astronomy 2007" and "The Southern Sky Guide", Star Charts from AstroVisuals, Stellarium and other planetarium software along with a number of somewhat more "coffee table" sky and constellation description books.
First of all, thinking of a dewy night under the stars, the materials the book is made from seem to be good quality and it doesn't feel like it will suck up every drop of moisture in the vicinity!
There's an introductory section of around 26 pages, then maps covering some 172 pages, then sections on The Solar System, Tools for Observing, Astro-imaging covering some 66 pages, then Glossary, References and Further Reading, About the Authors, and Index. Two indexes - one by constellation, naming major objects, and on general index.
It's right up to date - the comet section includes a photo of Comet McNaught C/2006 P1 in southern skies. Pluto is not a planet. There is just enough Astronomy science for the reader who is learning the field.
81 Constellation maps are presented. Those too far north to be observed from the upper/mid southern hemisphere are not present. Descriptions, and often images, of the key targets in each Constellation are given. RA, declination, magnitudes, angular extension, distance are usually all given for each. A few additional possible targets are listed. Mention is made if a target really requires a "big" scope. I particularly like the minimal approach taken to explaining the name of the constellation and its history - typically less than three lines.
It has been commented that it's odd to have the maps in the middle of the book, but it's a good idea - they are therefore spread around the centre page so the book lies fairly flat when you are using them, rather then be struggling with the end or beginning pages that don't lie as flat.
I've only had one evening under the stars with this book, but it worked well. With its help, I quickly located four globulars in Sagittarius that I hadn't seen before (well, I hadn't even looked for them before I saw this map).
Spotted one problem, The top left headings of the constellations that one would usually use to locate the constellation of interest (alphabetical order) are printed in red and vanish under redlight, but are repeated in blue on the skymap for each constellation, so that can be used instead.
Colour COLOUR! The book is full of colour in the illustrations, images, graphics etc. Perhaps, more mention could have been made that what is seen, at the eyepiece, of nebula and galaxies will not show the colour in the images - but I would imagine that the observer who is using this book would already be advanced enough to know that.
This could be a beginner's book, but is probably more for the intermediate observer. I can see it being a great companion for me for years ahead, given I'm just starting to emerge from absolute beginner status (perhaps!). But I think I'll keep my detailed star maps and moon maps with me when I'm out - just in case - but they mightn't have to come out much.
I think a planisphere is still needed - the sky views on page 39 make a good attempt - but, in my opinion, a beginner needs an exact view of what is in front of her/his eyes at any time - a few views that may be some hours different, cannot fulfill that need in the way that a planisphere can.
At $45, with a 10% discount to Oz S&T subscribers ordering through Oz S&T and free postage, it's a great price.
I happily recommend it!
ps. I'm an Oz S&T subscriber, otherwise I'm not connected to the authors or publishers, or book sellers, or printers, or illustrators etc. etc.
Yes indeed, everyone, postage was free. I've edited my original post to reflect this.
