The Invisible Universe [Hardcover]

There's something for every reader in this book. Each photograph takes up a full page, so you get its full stunning beauty. Short, readable descriptions written by Malin give very understandable and jargon-free scientific background to the astronomical phenomena in the pictures. The drawings of the sky and the constellations are also accompanied by prose laced with mythology and history. The book is pleasant to read as well as visually unmatched -- a wonderful combination.

Whether you want a beautiful and well-written introduction to the wonders of the heavens, a collection of some of the finest astronomical photos ever taken, or even just a pretty book for your coffee table, I heartily and unreservedly recommend this book. It's all of the above.

Each book has its own strengths. Croswell's are the dark, glossy pages and the multitude of images from different sources. Malin's is image quality and size. Approximately 20 images are the same in both books (Croswell gives credit to Malin for using them). However, even though the pictures are identical, their appearance is not. In two-thirds of those twenty images there simply is no comparison. Croswell's images look "small" and "soft," while Malin's large format sharpness and resolution are in a different class. The remaining one-third ranks about the same with Malin's trading off a slight increase in grain for a little more sharpness, resolution and, of course, size. The remaining images, in both books, in general, follow the same pattern. Croswell's are of decent quality and there are many of them to see (including about 20 from the Hubble). Malin's remaining range in quality from about the same as Croswell's to outstanding.

There are, also, a couple of other things to keep in mind that other reviewers haven't mentioned. Croswell's pages though beautiful (they are glossy) are also subject to fingerprints at the mere touch. Also, Malin's ships wrapped in a bag whereas Croswell's is open and, therefore, subject to the curiosity (and fingerprints) of warehouse handlers, etc. This is the second "Magnificent Universe" I've gotten, the first had to go back since its condition upon arrival was unacceptable. One last thing, many of Croswell's pictures have an annoying border around them and do not take up the full page. Malin's main theme pictures are always full page.

Which one should you buy? If you like quantity and can only afford one book, then the "Magnificent Universe" is the one for you. If you prefer quality and relaxed viewing, then Malin's is the better choice. If you like astronomical images and can afford both books, then get both of them. I'm keeping both. Happy buying.

The book is cumbersome because of its size, but the upside of that is that it forces you to sit down at a table and really LOOK at it - this is not a browsing book. Each image is more spectacular than the previous, and the photographs are so beautifully done, so artistic, that they look almost painterly. The realization that this stuff actually exists, is really out there, in all this color and glory, is tremendously exciting. A "normal"-sized book could never do the photographs justice - this book had to be this size. The Horsehead Nebula is so other-worldly, so amazing, that words fail me and only photos like these can describe it.

This book, more than any other I've seen, transports me off the planet and makes me realize how unimaginably vast the universe really is - and fills me with awe that we silly humans with our puny little machines can actually see this much!

I recommend this book without reservation to anyone with an interest in astronomy, art, photography... I sure am glad I gave it to US!