When I was a kid, young, six or seven, my dad got me this book. It was about exo-biology (aka xenobiology). How scientific it was is anyone’s guess. I think it referenced popular works of various arts, books, movies, etc. I remember various images from it. The cover was a large eyeball dripping with slime and goo. A pilot in a hard pressure suit rode a “light-sled” high above a planet’s surface. A dragon-like creature that seemed to be nothing but needle-like teeth rose from a pool of water.
My mom was appalled by this gruesomeness, but I loved it. I also lost it. It has been many years now, and I have searched for it, but you try finding something very specific with such little guidance. However, perhaps the SDMB could help? Anyone have this book or remember it? A specific name or author would be golden! Thanks in advance!
I remember that book, too, or something like it. Large pages, full color illustrations. I can’t remember the name of it. Was it a Time-Life book, maybe?
Found some pics of it here. Looks like it was a special National Geographic special. That message board names it as the National Geographic Picture Atlas of Our Universe, by Roy A. Galant
Don’t think it’s the National Geographic book; I remember that book vividly, and the pictured pages are the only pages in the book about extraterrestrial life. They’re presented as a sort of “what if” flight of fantasy. The rest of the book is much more scientific (well, except for the bits about the mythological figures from which planets and moons get their names).
Hey, guys! Thanks so much for all the responses and sorry I’ve been gone so long. Really fascinating materiel and I’ve had fun looking through all the links. Sadly, “my” book is not represented : (.