Neil deGrasse Tyson is a rock star to many people – definitely an odd descriptor for an astrophysicist who is Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Many consider him to be today’s Carl Sagan – and I find it interesting that (at least to me) he talks and sounds like Dr. Sagan.
No matter in his role as director, author, speaker, interviewee, or television show host, Dr. deGrasse Tyson exudes enthusiasm and commitment to his craft and passion – science – just as Carl Sagan did.
Images of deep space capture a sense of awesome for me – which is one of the reasons I use them as headers on this blog. (Click here to see past headers.) As a geek interested in the intersection of science and religion, those images give me a greater sense of creation. These points, along with interviews I saw with Dr. deGrasse Tyson, his 2017 book became a must-read for me.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is a short read (about 200 pages) that made it to the top of the New York Times Best-Seller list. This book is about time, space, particles, forces, and how they fit together in the universe according to the laws of the universe. Yes, he takes readers into complex topics as the Big Bang, dark matter, and dark energy – but he does it with relative simplicity with wit, real-world application, and enthusiasm. Even with his wit and understandable writing style, the topic isn’t naturally easy for all – so I had head scratching.
Logically-sequenced chapters are short with each focusing on a single topic. His easy-to-read text aims at an audience that doesn’t know much astrophysics. The text doesn’t contain new, groundbreaking information, so I consider this book as a primer that can lead to deeper learning if one chooses. (Like a 101 college course that serves as an introduction and springboard.)
Neil deGrasse Tyson is an excellent communicator and I can hear his voice in his words. This booked helped me understand my awe with deep space and creation. He promotes the cosmic perspective from the frontiers; which he describes as humbling, spiritual, redemptive, mind opening, eye opening, transcending, wise, insightful, finding beauty, enabling one to see beyond in order to embrace chemical and genetic kinship, and more. Now that is for me!
I encourage readers to take the time to embrace Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. Besides, it could be a stocking stuffer as a holiday gift. Here’s the link for the book on Amazon.
I end this review with a fantastic video on a similar topic from Symphony of Science featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Delightful! We are part of the universe! I appreciate your review. It reminds me to read this book that has been sitting on my kindle for too long now. Great end video to capture the wonder of our universe and our small part in it. Glorious!
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Patti,
The video is wonderful, and I appreciate that you watched and enjoyed it.
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Delightful review. Tempting…
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Brenda,
Glad that I’ve made this book at least tempting. The title does address the simplicity of his approach, but the topic is still a bit mind boggling to some.
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I did end up ordering it for my son. I’m hoping he finds a science interest to pursue into college.
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Good idea! … Hope it works. 🙂
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Done. Just put “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry” on my public library holds list.
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Tim,
This one is right up your alley … and small enough to be stuffed into the golf bag.
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He is a sort of rock star. Thanks for the review, Frank!
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Merril,
Rock star is very fitting for deGrasse Tyson. He’s such a great interview and lecturer.
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Well said, Frank. I am a big fan of Sagan, Feynman and deGrasse Tyson, all excellent at delivering understandings of science to the laity. It is easy, I think, to be distracted by the mystery of the origin of the Big Bang and miss the profound reality of all that we do know. It wasn’t until the 20th century that we even understood what galaxies were!
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Jim,
Now why am I not surprised that you are a big fan of the 3 you mentioned? 😉 Then again, you have good taste.
I can see how the Big Bang can be a distraction. After all, the enormity and so long ago … let alone the link to so much … the thought is actually overwhelming. On the other hand, those links within the enormity is the excitement that we enjoy.
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Thanks for the review as I had not heard that he had written this book. Carl Sagan could certainly relate to people and explain things in a simple way. I have never read anything by deGrasse but love to hear him speak. Husband would love this book.
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Jo,
Glad you enjoyed this little review. Sounds like you make have a holiday gift idea for your hubby! 🙂
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I might have to give this a go. Thanks for the heads-up.
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Carrie,
If you give it a read, let me know what you think!
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Super review, Frank. I loved the video.
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John,
Symphony of Science has great videos – and surprisingly, I have used in past posts – which would be Obama’s fault.
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The fact that I never saw it before is Obama’s fault as well.
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Two of my favorite people. I first ‘met’ Feynman in math class in high school in the early 60s. My teacher showed films of him explaining how to do some solutions to math problems. He was creative and inspiring. I’ve always enjoyed hearing about him. Tyson is a treasure, too. He has turned on lots of people to science and astronomy.
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Jim,
Oh wow … now that’s a memory that will stick with you! Many thanks for sharing!!!!
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It sounds good. Love the title. 🙂
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Betsy,
Definitely a catchy title … especially in today’s busy society!
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I just might have to give it a go myself, thanks to your review!
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Dale,
A good short book that probably is in the local library. If you read it, let me know what you think.
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I’d like to read Astrophysics for the People in a Hurry, but I’m afraid I don’t have enough time. 🙂
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X,
Now that’s a fabulous answer. 😀
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Frank, This sounds like a book i might read. I really like the vid! The use of auto-tuning is is fabulous!
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Resa,
Glad this book may have sparked an interest. Let me know what you think if you read it.
I believe all the Symphony of Science videos do the auto-tuning thing. It fits! 🙂
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It fits with Rap, too! So cool!
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Thanks for the heads up. He is so interesting and makes science more “comfortable” to many who shy away from it.
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Mouse,
Just like Sagan, he has a way of bring awe and comfort!
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I bought this book a couple of months ago when I stumbled upon it. I loved reading it! I typically pass along books I’ve read, but this was one I preferred to keep and will undoubtedly read again. My scientific education is weak, but I am always interested and curious and want to understand and know more than I do! I remember watching Sagan and buying “Cosmos,” which stayed on our coffee table for a very long time while I tried to “absorb” it. This is a very good book! The more I read the more I realize what I don’t know, that’s certain!
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Debra,
Why am I not surprised that you already read this book? 🙂 … so thanks for supporting my thoughts in this post.
Interestingly, I just got a copy of Cosmos (the book). It was in the personal library at the aunt’s house we were dealing with, so that’s one of the books that came home with me.
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I really liked this book. I listened to it on audiobook and the author himself is reading it. ..it was fantastic! I was worried whether I would actually understand it, but it really is explained in a way that makes it easy to understand. I did find myself rewinding the audiobook a couple of times because I zoned out for a minute or two, but it was still really easy to follow and I want to learn more about astrophysics now. 🙂
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Lisa,
Welcome first-time commenter. Thanks for adding your endorsement for this book. Oh my … the audio version with the author would be great. After all, he’s a great speaker! I’ll have to consider getting that for a long drive in the car.
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I can only highly recommend it 🙂
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I adore Tyson but I really love Feynman ❤️
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Joe,
Welcome first-time commenter. Tyson and Feynman have their share of followers, but Tyson is carrying today’s torch much like Feynman and Sagan did earlier.
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He is indeed. Especially Being Sagan’s protégé. I love listening to him but Feynman has this incredibly humbling way of bringing color into the world that moves me deeply. Tyson is more like little kid excited about science. Both brilliant but have their different ways of expressing their brilliance.
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Well stated.
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Thank you
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