Expert: Ed - 7/3/2007

Question
I'm wondering if you can name some great books on astronomy (or cosmology) for non-astronomists.

There are two types of resources I'm looking for. The first is an overview of the field, kind of like what "Physics for Future Presidents" (http://tinyurl.com/2s9sjk) by Richard Muller does for physics. Muller talks about matter, waves, electricity, quantum mechanics, energy, etc. but with very few equations; instead he explains the importance of understanding physics concepts to make everyday decisions and national policy.

The second is a more specific, but extremely accessible look into a particular field for the layman, for example what "Freakonomics" is to economics, or "The Tipping Point" is to sociology.

Can you recommend any such resources for astronomy or cosmology?

Many, many thanks!

Answer
Luke,

There are a lot of choices open to you.  Hmmm...  for starters, I contributed the chapter about astronomy to a reference book called "Magazines for Libraries."  In the opening essay (for the chapter, not for the book as a whole), I recommended several excellent, user-friendly sky atlases, and general intro astronomy resources.  "magazines for Libraries" is a very popular book among librarians.  Most larger libraries have it.  Or, if you live in a rural area, call your local library and see if they can help you find a copy.  Libraries usually keep it behind the reference desk.

Beyond that, I personally really like Michael Lemonick's "The Light at the Edge of the Universe."  It gives a very accessible personal account of the lives of working astronomers involved in cosmology, the study of the origin of the universe.
www.amazon.com/Light-at-Edge-Universe/dp/0691001588

As for national policy-oriented astronomy books... hmmm...  look for Richard Posner's "Catastrophe: Risk and Response"
http://www.amazon.com/Catastrophe-Risk-Response-Richard-Posner/dp/0195178130

Posner is a federal appeals court judge, but he includes a good chapter about the risk from asteroids.  Definitely worth checking out.  

In a similar vein, I feel obliged to mention "Rain of Iron and Ice" by John Lewis.
http://www.amazon.com/Rain-Iron-Ice-Helix-Books/dp/0201154943/ref=sr_1_1/002-998...

It's very accessible to the layman.  It might be a few years old now, but just google terms that you come across to get more up to date.

Also, try Gerrit Verschuur's:
http://www.amazon.com/Impact-Asteroids-Gerrit-L-Verschuur/dp/0195119193/ref=pd_s...

I seem to be mnentioning mostly asteroid-threat-related books, but obviously, if you're specifically asking me about books with a national policy angle, those will be pretty darned high on the list of relevant books.

Hmmm...... not knowing you, I feel like maybe I also ought to mention "A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper"
http://www.amazon.com/Mathematician-Reads-Newspaper-Allen-Paulos/dp/038548254X/r...

It helps make sense of statistics-related problems in fathoming issues related to physics and math.

I hope this is good for a start.  Feel free to get back to me if you want more suggestions.

Keep Looking Up!
--Ed