Book review- When Galaxies Are Born by Richard Ellis

Richard Ellis does really well to bring this subject to life. For its size, it really does offer a comprehensive introduction to important developments in this field since the early 20th century. It is fascinating to read how the research process operates, with different groups competing for time on telescopes and new discoveries contradicting or confirming the latest discoveries.
Ellis writes in plain English, which is a fantastic strength of the book. The author takes care to differentiate himself from the purely theoretical physicists who contribute to research in this area. Ellis is still someone who looks up at the sky and wonders and his enthusiasm is likely to inspire others to do the same.
Ellis injects some humour into his storytelling, as he recounts his initial experiences of the “stuffy” astronomers in the Royal Society when he first started working and contrasts these with the larger than life characters that he has worked with in the US and elsewhere.
Ellis doesn’t skimp on detail, however and there is enough “hard science” for the reader to get their teeth into and encourage people to go back and re-read.
However you want to approach this book, you are bound to learn something new. Ellis explains some of the major events and advances in astronomy with his insight and some stories behind the headlines. This is a great book to inspire and to encourage wonder in a subject that is one of the most inspiring and exciting areas of science.
Ellis makes the subject accessible and human and leaves the reader feeling as though this is not just the preserve of the extremely well off or “gifted” but a real life passion that anyone can contribute towards as long as they can match the enthusiasm of scientists like the man himself.