I first read Leslie Peltier's Starlight Nights in 1984. I read it again in August of 2000, and yet again in August of 2010. Perhaps this easy-to-read book is my favorite astronomy book of all time. I'm not sure why, as Peltier and I have very little in common, other than the fact that I liked the way he told the story about his experiences in astronomy. While we both were born in Ohio, Peltier loved his native state and lived all of his life there, other than one four-month long trip through the southwest on his honeymoon. Jeannie and I ran away from Ohio in 1972, preferring a place with better skies and climate.

Peltier wrote Starlight Nights when he was 65 years old, and he died four years before I took up the hobby, but his book continues to embed in new astronomers his love of the night sky and observing. As I was re-reading the book, last summer while we were motorhoming through America's far west, I started thinking that his book was now 45 years old, and is definitely a bit out-of-date. Perhaps it was time for someone to write a modern day version. The more I thought about this, the more I liked the idea, and finally realized that I was going to write it.

While I certainly don't consider myself to have his excellent writing skills, I certainly far surpassed Leslie with my telescope making, and easily surpassed what he was able to view in his telescopes. His largest telescope was a 12" that he spent his last few years observing with, while our first telescope was a 13", and we quickly rose through the aperture fever years to the point where my wife Jeannie and I seldom view with telescopes smaller than a 24", and our home observatory has held a 42" since 2003.

"What a lovely book, well-written by someone who knows and loves his subject. It's inspiring and deserves a large audience. My only criticism is that it's too short, I could easily have read another 1000 pages of Tom's anecdotes. The lifestyle of touring the USA, going to the main star parties and the National Parks and doing dark-sky astronomy with a good-sized dob is the stuff dreams are made of, including mine."   Faith J

Above left shows our 16" set up in the Arizona desert, far from civilization.

Above right is the 16" set up at the visitor's center at Bryce Canyon,  helping to  introduce  a couple hundred campers to the world of astronomy.

Left is our 16 and 24" at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This National Park campground was at 8400' and the views were  indescribable.

Above: An early 25" at the Winter Star Party in '89.

Above right: Our first 36" at Chiefland in 1993.

Right: Our old 25" at Ayer's Rock, Australia, in 1993.  Al Nagler is shown at the eyepiece.

We have been fortunate to have built many large Dobsonians over the last 25 years, and to have been able to use them from dark skies around the world.

Readers Comments:

What a lovely book, well-written by someone who knows and loves his subject. It's inspiring and deserves a large audience. My only criticism is that it's too short, I could easily have read another 1000 pages of Tom's anecdotes. The lifestyle of touring the USA, going to the main star parties and the National Parks and doing dark-sky astronomy with a good-sized dob is the stuff dreams are made of, including mine.  Faith J

It's about time I wrote and let you know how much I enjoy reading Starry Starry Nights. I keep picking up the darn book and re-reading up, not only because the stories are interesting and you write them so engagingly, but also because of your wonderful sense of optimism and willingness to go full speed ahead for what's important to you. I'm inspired really, and have decided to give more of my energy toward wrapping my life more directly around my observing and writing. Small but consistent steps for now but if this goes like all the other goals I've pursued I imagine the pace will gradually pick up and in a few years my dream of being able to observe under dark skies all year will become a reality. So thanks for your book, it's reminded me of the value of astronomy in my own life.   Howard Banich

I haven't finished it, but I have had my nose buried in it all day. It is that good. I'm talking about my friend Tom Clark's new one, Starry, Starry Nights. In the note he sent with the book, Tom says he doesn't think it's great writing. I beg to differ. "Great writing" is more than just spotless prose. It must come from the heart; that is 99% of what good writing is about. The other 1% here is easily filled-in by tales of Tom's adventures--including a Shaggy Dog Story or two.  I expected talk about his beloved telescopes. If you want to know what it was like to be an amateur astronomer at the end of the 20th century--like a Starlight Nights for our generation--get this, muchachos.  Uncle Rod

The book arrived yesterday, I read it today. It is interesting, inspiring, and surprisingly his ideas are close to mine. Two points made early in the book by Tom that impressed me. First, astronomy is a relaxing hobby that relieves the stresses of the world . Second, we are all equal under the night sky - CEO or homeless, it's just us and the heavens. I see this as book II of the trilogy:

Book I     Starlight Nights by Leslie Peltier,

Book II    Starry Starry Nights by Tom Clark

Book III   the one you or I may write someday…        edj

Just finished Tom's book and I heartily recommend it. Some of his anecdotes will make you laugh out loud. It really makes for great cloudy night reading and is truly a worthy successor to Leslie Peltier's classic in capturing the sheer joy of being out under the stars.   Rob

We need more Books like this to inspire the next generation of observers, I read your book  and it is definitely in the class of Peltier's book! It really makes one want to grab their gear and go observe. With the bad weather now the book is the next best thing.     Satman  

What a Find! While searching for astronomers in New Mexico I chanced upon Tom's new book. I have been reading of Tom's adventures for three decades in Amateur Astronomy Magazine. Building ever larger Dob's and sharing them not only at Chiefland but across the US, into Bolivia and the outback of OZ! What amazes me the most is that he has yet to slow down! Good work Tom, loved the book!  Abellhunter

I just finished reading Starry Starry Nights. Very nice read.  I also have the Modern Dobsonian and all the issues of AA.  I started reading AA because of the Dobsonian slant and the focus on visual observing.  I suspect I'll always be primarily a visual astronomer. I got the hint that you were moving out west if you haven't done so already.  I can't imagine picking up that big observatory and 42" DOB and moving it.  Anyway, wanted to tell you I enjoyed reading about your travels and retirement as much as about astronomy.    Jack Estes 

Just finished Tom's latest book (Starry Starry Nights) and it rekindled a desire to look up that I remember from my early days in the hobby. Like others, I was mesmerized by Leslie Peltier's quiet dedication to observing. Tom, not being a wallflower, shares with us his relentless desire to look up with very interesting instruments and the characters he has met along the way. You do not have to have hung out at Chiefland Astronomy Village to appreciate all of the stories but some of my memorable times sharing views with Tom, Jeannie and others at CAV with the 42" will never be forgotten.    Bob S

After reading Starry Starry Nights, all I can say is Tom and Jeannie I envy your whole life. You've lived what I have only dreamed about. Your love for the Cosmos has not wavered even after all these years.  Your book is an entertaining read, not from a technical stand point, that's what I loved  about  it.  Jeannie is by far no slouch, her knowledge about objects is amazing. How many men can say that their spouse just looked at Einstein's Cross from their backyard and cared about it? Not many.  I guess years of observing through the largest and best telescopes along side of the likes of Barbara Wilson and Steve Coe and countless others makes her a seasoned veteran to be reckoned with. Hopefully  I can one day summon the "Tom Clark" inside of me and write a book using my sketches. My love for the night sky has never been greater, and maybe Starry Starry Nights can be the catalyst for me to do just that, live my dream.    Raul L  

I just picked this up at NEAF and am about 3/4 of the way into it. Very enjoyable. I was, incidentally, correct about my suspicions that Tom is a quiet revolutionary. I'm not going to bandy about labels, but I like Tom's penchant for loose-knit communities without unnecessary structure or hierarchy, willingness to logically subvert "conventional wisdom" on everything from owning large homes to how to build telescopes, and his years long habit of self-publishing. Tickles the anarcho-punk astronomer/publisher inside. Whether you think telescopes can change the world, Tom's book is definitely worth the read, for many reasons.  Doug Reilly

I very much enjoyed reading Starry Starry Nights. You are a real inspiration to the astronomy community! Congratulations and keep up the great work.   Demetrios

During the summer of 2010 Tom and Jeannie Clark and myself were traveling to several star parties and enjoying some time under dark skies from Arizona to Oregon. It turns out we were both working on writing about our adventures and we both got a book out of it. Tom was motivated by "Starlight Nights" from Leslie Pelier and this book became an updated version of that famous story of the life of Mr. Peltier.

    Tom's book covers lots of astronomy tales from his time under the sky. Tom has been a telescope maker for decades and there are lots of great stories and tips within this book about making and maintaining telescopes. If you are considering building a scope yourself then those photos could motivate you get started.

    There are several chapters in the book is about traveling around the country to a variety of star parties. There are many fun stories of who they met and what they saw all around the U.S. The final two chapters are stories that vary from two paragraphs to two pages, many of them from star parties.

    I found this book an easy read, lots of fun and informative. Now, I warn you that Tom and Jeannie and I have been friends for many years so this is hardly a subjective review, but I do like the book very much and can recommend it.   Steve Coe

First printing 1/2011

Second printing 4/2011

5.5x8.5"

184 pages   216 photographs   50,000 words

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