A very simple introduction to recorders, their history, what they sound like, what they look like, and how they are played. Additional features to aid comprehension include a table of contents, a phonetic glossary, informative captions and sidebars, sources for further research including websites, an index, and an introduction to the author.

Explores the relationship between the Sun and Mercury and Venus, from the point of view of a planetary scientist, examining the role of Mercury and Venus as recorders of the formation of the solar system.

Explores the relationship between the Sun and the three outer planets of the solar system from the point of view of a planetary scientist, examining the role of Uranus, Neptune, and the dwarf planet Pluto as recorders of the formation of the solar system.