This was a set of books (hardback, 8 1/2 x 11 inches I think, fairly thin) about science that one of my cousins had. The whole set of three was intended to cover all of science - and volume three was “the cosmos” as a whole. I remember in particular, the cover of the third book, which showed a tinker-toy model, intended to illustrate the expanding universe. Googling is doing me no good - any ideas?
It looks like it’s 20 books, The Cosmos is number 13.
And the thing that resembles a Tinker-Toy model is on book 7: Life Search.
I don’t think Time Life did anything in a mere 3 volumes.
Eta I’m kinda surprised the full set weighs just 0.01 ounce.
These appear to be from the 1990s - and the cover’s not quite what I’m remembering
I think I’ve found it. This link talks about “The Universe” by David Bergamini, as part of a set with The Earth by Arthur Beiser and Evolution by Ruth Moore. The cover isn’t quite what I was describing, but it’s possible I’m thinking of interior art. I’ll try to get the Bergamini book
Did you try going through all 75 pages of https://www.amazon.com/Books-Time-Life/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ATime-Life+Books ?
No. I tried “1970s” “Time/Life” and variations on “space” (but not Cosmos - that way leads only to Sagan).
I now have the Bergamini book requested on Interlibrary loan
The Time Life series on Photography was spectacular, and probably taught me most of what I know about the subject.
I got the book through interlibrary loan, and it’s definitely something I read as a kid. Doesn’t have the illustration I describe above, but that could be a) because I read a different edition or b) I’m conflating two books or c) I’m totally imagining the illustration I’m thinking of.
Or d), you’ve gone down the wrong trouser leg.
Found it thanks to @Dendarii_Dame - on a shelf in our house
It looks much like I described