The Stars

*The Stars* (which was designed by the noted graphic artist Allen Hurlburt) is a nearly perfect book. Schickel’s precise take on all the stars he does feature (there are some strange omissions) are wondrous little gems. His judgments are sound; he very rarely makes a wrong statement about why a particular star had lasting appeal, or why others came and went quickly. Even when he makes a grand statement he is spot on.