Even if you don't give a monkey's about astronomy, this is an excellent read; the story of a remarkable man. Anyone who can choose as his jacket photo, himself with collar askew, tie under ear, and cuddling his cat, is my sort of scientist. Due to childhood illness (and also to sheer orneriness), he was virtually self-educated; saw service far too young in the Second World War: that must have been eventful but he doesn't speak of it.

He is above all modest about his own achievements, which are not few. He's been a doughty fighter all his life, and in many ways a Cat Who Walks By Himself. Some of his views sound an anachronistic (to put it politely) note today, but never mind.