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This beautifully illustrated volume spans the history of astronomy and celestial cartography, beginning with prehistoric cave paintings and rolling forward to today's high-tech photographs of the cosmos. Brooke-Hitching does a superb job of making this complex, scientific, and technical subject accessible and exciting for readers both new to and enamored of astronomy. He takes deliberate care in explaining how the study of the sky has been a collaborative and global effort with many cultures contributing distinct discoveries over the ages; the book's layout makes clear the context for each culture's history and knowledge, emphasizing their interests in certain stars or celestial events. For example, in ancient Egypt, astronomers created detailed charts of the star Sirius because of its correlation with the flooding of the Nile. The art, astral maps, and photographs, many in lush, jewel-like colors, make this book shine. Readers will want to drink in every fine detail in this illumination of the fruitful union of art, history, and science.--Jennifer Rymont Copyright 2020 Booklist