This informative, attractively designed volume offers a solid overview of Edwin Hubble's influential theory of the expanding universe and its impact on astronomy and other fields of science. The definition of primary source, as it's used here, is perhaps a bit broad, referring largely to photographs (which are not any more abundant than in most nonfiction series, although they are given more substantive captions and more prominent source notes). One particularly nice feature is the inclusion of several reproductions of actual newspaper and scientific journal articles, with full transcriptions available at the back of the book. A glossary, resources for further research, and a bibliography (including Stephen P. Maran's Astronomy for Dummies, 1999) conclude. Other titles in the new Primary Sources of Revolutionary Scientific Discoveries and Theories series include Watson and Crick and DNA, Mendeleyev and the Periodic Table, and Darwin and the Theory of Evolution.

Gr 5-8-These books follow a standard format with biographical detail of the scientist, a description of his research, and the lasting impact on modern science. They are ideal for short reports as they offer more detailed information than a standard encyclopedia entry and the writing is straightforward and easily understood. The authors do a good job of simplifying complex scientific discoveries and formulae (such as the method of determining a star's distance from the Earth using Cepheid variable stars). In the case of Mendel, however, Hasan seems to be stretching the material to fill the page requirement. The books offer a balanced approach to controversial topics such as Darwin and evolution but also point to instances of scientific consensus as with the Big Bang. Unfortunately, the illustrations are sometimes poorly reproduced and are often of limited interest. Useful for libraries in need of support materials on these individuals.-Cass Kvenild, University of Wyoming, Laramie Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

This series proves that primary source material is not confined to history and social studies lessons. It covers the work of Copernicus, Darwin, Hubble, Kepler, Mendel, Mendeleyev, Newton, and Watson and Crick, and includes primary source materials related to each scientist. In Kepler and the Laws of Planetary Motion, the reader is given a brief introduction into what was known about the heavens in Kepler's time and then proceeds to talk about Kepler's life, his times, and his scientific work. Throughout the discussion are primary photos and facsimiles of his writings. Transcriptions of the primary texts are available in an appendix. A photo of one of Kepler's early models of the universe gives the reader a clear idea of just where planetary science was in the late 1500s. There are time lines of Kepler's era and his work, and further reading includes a list of pertinent Web sites. The index is thorough. Students can move from the science, writings, and models of Kepler in the 1500s to a more recent scientist and his discoveries in Hubble and the Big Bang. Here the reader is taken through what was surmised about the creation and growth of the universe in the early 1900s. There are photos of modern refracting telescopes as well as those of telescopes that Hubble used in his research in 1948. New York Times articles from 1924 tell of Hubble's discovery that proved there were galaxies beyond ours. Transcripts of all of the textual primary sources are included in the appendixes. The addenda mirror the quality of the Kepler volume. Given the emphasis that primary source use is gaining in state standards and state standardized testing, this set will offer a unique opportunity for students to further their study and analysis of primary sources in a subject that is not traditionally known for this activity.-Susan Allen.