Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

This book is exactly what its title suggests: astrophysics for people in a hurry. It is a brief, clear, concise overview of the current.state of astrophysics, covering everything from the Big Bang to the evolution of the universe, the development of planets and stars, the evolution of life on earth, astrophysics and chemistry, asteroids, comets, the whole shebang. And, it's wonderful! Over the last couple of decades, we have been blessed with a number of books by eminent scientists who clearly explain the latest findings and theories in physics, astronomy, and biology. These books have helped those of us who majored in the liberal arts (i.e. people who can't do math) to attain basic literacy in the hard sciences. For anyone who hasn't read a book that introduces complex scientific theories and discoveries to the average person, Professor Tyson's book is a wonderful place to start. Professor Tyson has a gift for making very complex concepts and theories comprehensible to the layperson. There are other scientists who have written similar books, and I've read all or most of them, but I believe that when it comes to clarity and ease of comprehension, Professor Tyson's books might be the best available. For anyone who thinks that this book might be dry and dull, I can assure you it's not. It's a lot of fun, and Professor Tyson has a GREAT sense of humor. This is a quick read, and I learned a lot. But most of all, as the book's last chapter illustrates, it's very important for us to have the "cosmic perspective." To understand the vastness of the universe, to appreciate its wonder and its terror, the cosmic perspective helps us to realize how precious and beautiful our own little part of the universe is and the importance of our caring for it and preserving it for future generations. Professor Tyson does a wonderful job of explaining how we are not only part of the universe; the universe is part of us. He helps us to understand that our short, fleeting participation in a universe filled with such wonders is cause for rejoicing. Great book. Buy it; read it. You'll love it.

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is an eye-opening read for someone like me just starting to learn about space. The way he explains big, complicated ideas in simple language makes it exciting instead of overwhelming. I never felt lost, and each chapter left me curious to know more. It feels like the perfect first step into understanding the universe, both approachable and inspiring at the same time.

I see one or two star reviews because this is difficult to understand for novices or passers-by looking to glean some basics about the cosmos. I believe this is because people read the title and expect the book to contain basic, introductory information. Here the title may be interpreted as a ‘Astrophysics for Dummies’ or ‘Astrophysics 101’ type of study, but the book’s title, and more so the book’s epigraph, (“For all those who are too busy to read fat books yet nonetheless seek a conduit to the cosmos”) suggest that a lot of information is presented in a concise read with a plethora of details shortened in summary. And so it is. Some low to middling reviews lament Mr. Tyson’s glazing over topics with less detail than would be preferred. Here I believe the brevity offered for each topic is exactly what the title promises: a quick, detailed read with an assumption that the reader has a basic understanding of math and science that informs astrophysics. And so the 12 chapters, each broken in to smaller, quick-burst summaries, provide history and present-day knowledge of the topics that explain mankind’s understanding of the universe. Granted, I am not an astrophysicist, nor am I of much value to any form of science or math in general, being that I’m massively right-brained, more a musician, poet, satirist, writer, philosopher. But I love the cosmos! I find a beauty in the universe that quickens my heart, inflates my lungs, consumes my mind, floods my spirit, and allows deep fascination to etch itself within my soul. The unfathomable expanse in which this little blue planet upon which we live exists, like a infinitesimal Lilliputian in a Brobdingnagian sea, is simultaneously mesmerizing and terrifying. In the beauty of what appears to be chaos is actually scientific principle governed by concrete, scientifically sound laws. I find peace and am stilled by the possibilities. Also, Neil deGrasse Tyson’s approach to the universe, and his intense interest in things which affect our daily lives on earth but aren’t particularly relevant to astrophysics, is unique, funny, easily interactive, and deeply moving. So, yes, I read this book, I understood the basic principles of science, the bases of mathematical models, all concepts absorbed by my artistic lens which is informed by my penchant for learning as an autodidact. I’m greatly pleased! Our universe is gorgeous and the laws that govern its existence are enjoyably complex but herein adroitly explained.

I very much enjoyed this book. Kept me thinking. Had to use the dictionary a few times and that pleased me. I will be reading this book again.

Husband loved this

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is a cogent introduction to the scientific field of Astrophysics. Never in a hurry to get through a science book, I made sure I highlighted cool/interesting facts. In this short and well written book, esteemed science educator and author Neil Degrasse Tyson really unveils what the "cosmic perspective" truly is. To put it succinctly it's our existential appreciation of nature and life as we know it, and on one hand the significance of the cosmos and it's doing in creating our planet and home, Earth; and on another our true insignificance as we face the perspective of the vastness of outer space. It creates a paradox, because as insignificant as we may be in the domain of the immeasurably large and ever-expanding cosmos, we can find significance in the fact that we can - with modern day scientific data - understand that insignificance! And as a result, our egos don't mean much. We are all made of stardust and we have breathed in at least one of the same oxygen molecules as Abraham Lincoln and Julius Caesar. What is xenophobia and how myopic is it to think that we are intrinsically "better" than any other human on this planet? To those who truly grasp this cosmic perspective. Here is just my own little thought experiment: what if, in 30,000 years from now we are many of thousands of years into the colonization of Mars. And there's a full fledging society in planet Mars, with its own rules and customs. Would there be immigration legislation directed towards Martian immigrants? Imagine our planet being embraced as one home, instead of a landscape for many different countries. Do you think immigration from Mexico or Africa would be a thing? Or would it just be considered as moving from one area to another like we do towns within our states? What if I changed the scenario and in this case planet Earth was suffering from drastically dangerous weather fluctuations due to the lack of climate change legislation from the society 30,000 years ago. And because of these perilous and apocalyptic conditions the future inhabitants of Earth wanted to move to Mars for a better life. But then immigration laws of Planet Mars made it strenuous and in many cases prohibitive. As it always takes on form or another, what if discrimination and prejudice under these circumstances were directed towards the inhabitants of the dangerous planet Earth? Would we still discriminate against each-other and engage in petty territorial disputes or would we unite as inhabitants of our beloved planet who all share the same goal of a better life? THIS is the Cosmic Perspective. Thank you Dr. Tyson for writing such a wonderful book. It justifies my gratitude for being alive and living. Especially in an age where it's possible to grasp the perspective. Sincerely, Mike Morgenstein

If you've watched Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, then you are in for a treat with his book filled with major science ideas and discoveries. I love his creative, tantalizing sentences that make science an exciting subject. This book is also lol funny in places. While Neil deGrasse believes the universe had a beginning he is much more intrigued with cosmic evolution than the idea of God creating everything. Although he does quote one scriptural verse. "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" can be read casually in a night. You will learn some shocking facts about elements that together are safe, but separate are trouble. There is also information on black holes, asteroids, galaxies, cosmic rays, supernovas, red giants and spectroscopy. You will also find out that neutrinos pass through your body undetected. While there was a chapter on dark matter I wish we all knew more about this subject. Neil deGrasse Tyson gives about the best explanation I've read so far. So basically, Neil deGrasse Tyson makes science fascinating for the casual reader who only has a few hours to grasp many of the main concepts an astrophysicist would have studied in depth. This book is a nice example of condensing information into short essays for easier mental consumption. You may not agree with how old the universe is or who created it, but those are small parts of the book and there is way more to learn that is fun and educational. ~The Rebecca Review

This book did exactly what it said it would do - give people who have little understanding of astrophysics in the fastest possible. It was a download about a science that spans the known universe. What it did well: There was a lot of really good information. I learned things I never knew about the universe and it helped me to understand some of the chatter I hear in other media better. It improved my understanding of the scientific discipline, what they had accomplished to date and what the current areas of focus were. It was a true, high level primer. What it could have done better: The hardest part of the book to comprehend were the first two chapters. I had to read, pause, think, reread, pause, reread, then just keep going hoping that the additional context later in the book would help me to decipher what the author meant. To be fair - it worked. The later parts of the book did make those early parts more clear and I left the book feeling like I had a solid understanding of what the book was about and what it was saying. I did skip the last chapter because, honestly, it strayed into personal philosophies of the author instead of the science which was just less interesting overall. Overall I really liked it. I would read it again and recommend it to others.