Recommended books please!

[Yearofthegoat]

This is all great - I've got a fair few on my wish list for Christmas now.  Thanks for all the replies!

[kerrylewis]

If I'm not too late; I'm a great fan of the Backyard Astronomer's Guide as a beginner's book. It not only covers observing but the whole field of astronomy equipment etc, and all written in a very readable way.   It answers all those basic questions (e.g. image orientation in various types of scope) as well as more detailed stuff. It was my third book after Norton's and TLAO - all mentioned above, and I still refer to it.

Good luck - that time after Christmas during daylight and/or clouds is a great time for astro reading!

[L8-Nite]

I have just ordered a copy off amazon 2000 edition cost 1P, 2.86pp

1P     wow, now that has to be the bargain of the year ! 

[MAN or ASTROMAN]

Here is a photo of the star hopping diagram for Cassiopeia from the above book:

Ordered a used paperback copy of this for £2.49 plus £2.80 pp. Looks like a good'un! Thanks for the lead Mister_W!

[daiwelly]

1P     wow, now that has to be the bargain of the year ! 

Just received my copy of Norton's star atlas fair play its new or never been issued its the 2000 edition not bad for 1p plus postage

[Stangazer]

I agree with Backyard Astronomer's Guide, Norton's and TLAO mentioned above. I would also add The Practical Astronomer (Dk Astronomy) on the list. It's a beautifully illustrated astronomy book covering a wide range of general astronomy topics for beginners as well as 88 pages of guides to constellations. Basic concepts of astronomy are explained in terms that make sense to a beginner.