'Fitzpatrick presents a clear exposition of the main principles of celestial mechanics … Each chapter ends with a number of well-thought-out problems with a nice range of difficulty from straightforward to quite challenging. The author designed the book for upper-level undergraduates and beginning graduate students who have completed courses in classical mechanics and multivariate vector calculus. Professionals from other branches of astronomy will also find this a handy review and reference … Highly recommended.' R. R. Erickson, Choice 'I found the text well written and illustrated, and the material has clearly undergone several tests in the classroom … I recommend this stimulating book to anyone interested in making first steps in celestial mechanics.' Thomas Peters, Contemporary Physics 'This is a first-rate text to use as a senior-undergraduate text in celestial mechanics. I recommend it strongly without reservation.' The Observatory: A Review of Astronomy 'Fitzpatrick's text is excellent … [his] exposition is relatively flawless in its execution … [this book] is a valuable addition to the pedagogy of the field and has perhaps the clearest exposition of any celestial mechanics text for upper-level undergraduate students. For some students, Fitzpatrick will be approaching perfection.' Arlin Crotts, Physics Today