The Box of Stars: Practical Guide to the Night Sky and Its Myths and Legends

I got this as the perfect gift for ME, but it really would make a wonderful gift for just about anybody. Who hasn't enjoyed gazing up at the diamonds in the sky and who hasn't tried to visualize the constellations? I love this set. I'm not an astronomer, I just love looking at the stars and I enjoy the myths about the characters that wheel above us in the starry heavens. This set contains a very well written 87 page guide book that is a quality paperback measuring 5 1/2" X 8", thirty-two cards that are slightly larger, and maps of the hemispheres. The book gives us the myth behind each of the constellations included in the set and also tells us about the major stars in each of the constellations, giving us brief scientific information as well as how to locate the constellation. It is not a professional astronomer's handbook, but is intended for the novice, and as such is excellent. The cards were invented by "a lady" in 1825 in London and were originally hand-painted. She called them Urania's Mirror. They are an original way to learn to recognize the constellations. Each card is pierced with tiny holes of varying sizes that glitter when held up to the light. These look like the constellations and give one an image to look for in the night sky. They are made of sturdy card stock and are colorful and have the abundant charm of 19th century map art. This is a super teaching aid and seems more "hands-on" and intimate than learning strictly from a book. The box that the book and cards come in is very sturdy and will hold up to lots of wear. It is not like the chintzy material that, for example, a Tarot deck would come in. It has a removable top, separate from the bottom, rather than tuck-in flaps. It is a deep indigo color with gold lettering, very attractive. It is meant to be a quality gift set that will last.

While the information is more mythological than astronomical, this is a very interesting little "box". It gives the full stories of the major constellations, and information on locating them. Where it excells, is in the set of cards that come with it. They are beautiful portraits of the constellations in their mythological forms, and the major stars are "punched" so that when held up to the light you can get a sense of what it will look like outdoors. Very tastefully done, it is the kind of item that would hook a young person on astronomy. It's even nice for old people too.