Every amateur astronomer has at least heard of the many different catalogs of deep-sky objects; the most well known are the Messier, the Caldwell, the Herschel, and the NGC. All of these catalogs are, in general, readily available, but very few amateur observers are in a position to choose the best catalog for their particular deep-sky observing program, know how to use the catalog, or even realize just how many there are out there! The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to the Deep-sky Catalogs is a single compilation of the historical and modern astronomical deep-sky catalogs. It discusses their origins, compares what's in them, explains how to interpret the data they contain, and even outlines how readers can create suitable 'custom' catalogs for their own use. The last section provides a set of three deep-sky catalogs created by the author, for observers of different levels of experience, from newcomer to expert. ' Next, the early and middle ages are spanned, with the catalogs and modifications created by well known figures including Johann Bayer, Henry Draper, Charles Messier, John and Caroline Herschel, and J L E Dryer, who began work on the New General Catalog (NGC). Finally, in this part of the book, the author takes a look at modern catalogs, such as the Caldwell and Halton Arp's "Catalog of Peculiar Galaxies." Other important catalogs are discussed, too - those that have been created by organizations and institutions such as the European Space Agency's Hipparchus and Tycho catalogs, the Washington Double Star, and the Yale Bright Star catalog. The last section of the book provides a set of astronomical catalogs created by the author. They come in three different versions: for the beginning astronomer, for the intermediate, and for the expert observer. These lists will also be based on the type of equipment the amateur astronomer is likely to own: binoculars, small telescopes, or large telescopes. They provide a wonderful starting point for the amateur to customize his or her own catalogs and can form the basis of a major observing program.