<p><BR/>Replying to:<BR/><DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Unfortunately I didn't choose a university path that will lead me into an astronomy related field, but as an area of general interest I am absolutely fascinated by everything I read. What would you guys suggest as the top books in this field that I should read in order to get a grasp of Space Science & Astronomy? Even the more "far out" string thoery stuff would be cool. Obviously because I don't study in this field, I would prefer books that I would be able to understand. Thanks all! <br />Posted by TrulyC</DIV></p><p>String theory is not really astronomy. It is an attempt to develop a theory that unifies the four known forces -- electromagnetic, weak, strong, gravity. If you are interested in that sort of basic theory, and perhaps the implications for cosmology, my personal recommendation is that you read books written for a general audience by well-established physicists, preferably those at the forefront of the research. If you want to follow that path here are some recommended books:</p><p><em>A Brief History of Time</em> -- Stephen Hawking</p><p><em>The Character of Physical Law -- </em>Richard Feynman</p><p><em>The Pleasure of Finding Things Out -- </em>Richard Feynman</p><p><em>The First Three Minutes </em>-- Steven Weinberg</p><p><em>The Discovery of Subatomic Particles </em>-- Steven Weinberg </p><p><em>Dreams of a Final Theory </em>-- Steven Weinberg</p><p><em>The God Particle </em>-- Leon Lederman</p><p><em>The Emperor's New Mind</em> -- Roger Penrose</p><p><em>The Road to Reality -- </em>Roger Penrose (this one might be difficult reading, but it is very good)</p><p><em>The Inflationary Universe </em>-- Alan Guth</p><p><em>Blackholes and Time Warps; Einstein's Outrageous Legacy </em>-- Kip Thorne</p><p><em>Black Holes, Geons and Quantum Foam</em> -- John Archibald Wheeler</p><p><em>The Fabric of the Universe --</em> Brian Greene</p><p><em>Three Roads to Quantum Gravity --</em> Lee Smolin</p><p><em>The Physics of Star Trek -- </em>Lawrence Krauss</p><p><br /><br /> </p> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>