Buy new:
-43% $19.79
FREE delivery Wednesday, May 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$19.79 with 43 percent savings
List Price: $34.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Wednesday, May 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Thursday, May 9. Order within 10 hrs 1 min
Only 17 left in stock (more on the way).
$$19.79 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$19.79
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$12.95
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Ships Directly from Amazon! This book shows signs of previous use but remains in good condition. Pages are clean! Ships Directly from Amazon! This book shows signs of previous use but remains in good condition. Pages are clean! See less
FREE delivery Monday, May 13 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 10 hrs 1 min
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$19.79 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$19.79
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning Paperback – June 1, 1963

by Richard H. Allen (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 136 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$19.79","priceAmount":19.79,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"19","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"79","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"k0XdV15QaYy4kWH602FZHRwm%2FW9Y7PQ0MjVSG0L3AE0hCIYbnoff3gtikAZD8fF7y2m4781WTuJZwhjuqTx3%2F%2FkSeSL2dMSzNx5kfTRG%2BXts55x5IcFuOnSIZEej7pj1CXJF5G0xYBM%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$12.95","priceAmount":12.95,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"12","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"95","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"k0XdV15QaYy4kWH602FZHRwm%2FW9Y7PQ01VjbKN4F7xuzecI7c0Gcl4xDASZb%2F6RB90rAyBiFehNL1NTcdZEZ5k1MKgH%2Bgohmk%2Bt1iPzZ%2Fzx%2FNomPH4O7nq%2F5avE%2FmiHB5bAUWtUfEdRE3wlKNfp%2BBzeuDErUf761lw5QxPc%2BM2wg5QUr6WCXZjPyixWVJ4j3","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Here is an unusual book for anyone who appreciates the beauty and wonder of the stars. Solidly based upon years of thorough research into astronomical writings and observations of the ancient Chinese, Arabic, Euphrates, Hellenic, and Roman civilizations, it is an informative, non-technical excursion into the vast heritage of folklore and history associated with the heavenly bodies.
From his studies of the writings of scores of ancient astronomers, the author has come up with a fascinating history of the names various cultures have given the constellations, the literary and folkloristic uses that have been made of the stars through the centuries, and the often incredible associations that ancient peoples established with the stars. He covers, for example, the origins of the lunar and solar zodiacs; the use of stars and constellations in the Bible and other sacred writings, poetry, etc.; the idea of the Milky Way; how star pictures were originally set up and why; astrology and the use of stars to tell people's fortunes; and many other star curiosities. In this regard, the book touches upon not only all of the constellations (including many that long ago dropped out of star catalogues), but their important stars and such other asterisms as the Hyades, the Pleiades, the Great Nebula of Andromeda, and the Magellanic Clouds.
The book is the only complete coverage of its kind in English. It is completely non-technical, hence accessible to etymologists, anthropologists, and amateur star-gazers. But it contains so much unique reading material on early astronomical theory, so many delightful accounts drawn from the pages of books almost impossible to find today, that even the practicing astronomer will find it refreshingly new and instructive.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    592 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dover Publications
  4. Publication date
    June 1, 1963
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.25 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0486210790
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0486210797
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Star Names: Their Lore and Meaning
$19.79
Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 15
Only 17 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Star Lore: Myths, Legends, and Facts (Dover Books on Astronomy)
$27.34
Get it as soon as Monday, May 13
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The New Patterns in the Sky: Myths and Legends of the Stars
$26.27
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
Only 11 left in stock - order soon.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; Revised edition (June 1, 1963)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 592 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486210790
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486210797
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.46 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.25 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 136 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
136 global ratings
Illegible font
2 Stars
Illegible font
Really? You’re going to use some illegible German Gothic font for the main title headings?
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Dylan Saccoccio
5.0 out of 5 stars An Invaluable Index
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
I can't remember if I got this through Amazon or ebay, but I will say this is one of the most relevant books of all timefor researchers of mythology and astrology. It is an invaluable index that one shall refer to over and over for the rest of his or her life. No question.

- Dylan Saccoccio (author of Spirit Whirled series and The Tale of Onora series)
6 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
J. E. Bruce
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites on the subject
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is such a lovely, well-written and informative book on sky lore. I loved it so much I bought a second copy just in case I lost the first. To sit out under a clear night sky and to recall the tales, the origins of star names that fill this book makes the sky come alive with ancient voices, of unique perspectives, of cultures long gone and their view of the night sky.
15 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
James Kenney
4.0 out of 5 stars If you love stars, this is for you
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
Quite a compendium of star lore, with details enough to satisfy the most demanding student of the stars, whether seeking scientific information or astrological tidbits.
Helpful
 Report
Michael Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars Star Names, thier lore and meaning.
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2010
Verified Purchase
I do a short talk on the stars and find that this book along with others is very useful. It can be a bit diffecult to work out what is going on but once you have it is a great book and enables one to be able to add to thier stars stories. Just choce one subject at a time, for example the severn sisters is about 15 pages but you can pick which bits that you want and still have a heap of information. So just read through it and adapt it to what you want, loads and loads of info.
mikemasey.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Manuel Macala
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
Very good book, now I have something to do when I get off from work. :)
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
E. Campbell
3.0 out of 5 stars Adult level reference
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2010
Verified Purchase
I was looking for a book for a 13 yr old who is just getting started in astronomy. I wanted to show how mythology and ancient beliefs came to be the basis for naming stars & constellations. This book does that but is far too involved for a beginner.
Great for someone who can wade through lots and lots of references and complicated explanations. It is more like a college reference book with Latin, Greek, & Arabic names and definitions. Dover Publications, 555 pg. of small print, a reprint of an original printing of 1899.
Would be interesting for someone with lots of time and patience or for students who need detailed information on the connections between astrology and astronomy.
12 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Seybrew
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for detailed investigation in star lore
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2012
Verified Purchase
If you need to know why stars and constellations have certain names and how those names came to be this is the book for you.
Helpful
 Report
Susan E. Williams-Dew
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2016
Verified Purchase
My spouse loves the information provided.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Martin McAuley
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent insights in this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2024
Verified Purchase
All liked and interesting subject matters in the text
Report
David
5.0 out of 5 stars As Advertised quick delivery
Reviewed in Canada on February 3, 2019
Verified Purchase
Great video, dvd works good
Report
Lore
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottimo
Reviewed in Italy on April 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
perfetto..arrivato anche prima del tempo indicato.
Report
aniruddha sule
4.0 out of 5 stars Academic book
Reviewed in India on March 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
Detailed information about star names and their origin. Very well researched. A little too academic which makes it a bit of a drag. That's the only downside to otherwise a good book
Report
Client d'Amazon
4.0 out of 5 stars Livre passionnant sur les étroiles.
Reviewed in France on February 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
Bonjour,
Achat fait pour un tiers qui a trouvé ce livre très intéressant. De plus il s'agit d'une bonne ré-édition, de l'éditeur d'origine DOVER BOOKS, sans fautes de frappes ou mauvaise présentation (des libraires m'ont déconseillé plusieurs autres publications disponibles sur internet pour ce motif). Livre de qualité, difficile également à trouver en librairie semble-t-il. Contenu varié et documenté sur un domaine large (les étoiles), sans entrer dans des éléments trop complexes en astronomie.
Merci pour votre questionnaire. Cordialement.
F.D.
One person found this helpful
 Report