This book brings together diverse work from many different branches of astronomy and shows clearly the synthesis of ideas that has resulted.

Martin Cohen earned his MS in Psychology through the California State University, Los Angeles, and his PhD from International College, Los Angeles. He was in private practice in Los Angeles, California, where he was also Clinical Director of MidValley Counseling and Psychological Services, and was the administrator for Psychiatric and Psychological Testing Services. Dr. Cohen has also been a clinician with the Center for Family Development in Eugene, Oregon.

Preface; 1. What does astronomy tell us?; 2. what is a star?; 3. Our galaxy; 4. Where are starts born?; 5. How to recognise the youngest stars; 6. Nature's womb; 7. How and why clouds collapse; 8. Towards a more sedate life; 9. High-mass stars and triggering mechanisms; 10. Planets; 11. Epilogue; Index.