Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Enjoyable - not as understandable as I had hoped

Always watch Neil deGrasse Tyson when he is a guest on a late night talk show. The 10 minute segments always seem so easy to understand. This book, though, is way past my scientific knowledge and there is not enough "simplification" in his explanations. Many parts are still very interesting, but this is one book where having some science in your background will be very helpful.

20 people found this helpful

Awesome book for those new to astrophysics.

Would you listen to Astrophysics for People in a Hurry again? Why?

YES!! I learned so much the first go around, but even then I had to have him repeat things a few times for me to fully grasp some of the concepts. So I would most definitely listen to it again, because I believe their would be something new to takeaway each time, whether it be knowledge or perspective.

What other book might you compare Astrophysics for People in a Hurry to and why?

Cosmos, by Carl Sagan. The audiobook is excellently narrated by LeVar Burton, and I find it to be just as "down to earth" as this one is. Little to no math, but explaining detailed concepts in a way we, those bad at math, can understand.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the scene with the whipped cream in the coffee shop. Don't argue with Neil deGrasse Tyson about physics, he will win.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I had to take it in bits and pieces, and feel that I enjoyed it more that way. Some of the things said challenged my world/universe view a bit, and I found it helpful to just have time to ponder and be wowed by the universe.

Any additional comments?

I would highly recommend others to read/listen to this, especially if you are curious about Astrophysics, but are intimidated by the math. Neil deGrasse Tyson has a way of explaining difficult concepts in a manner that is easier to understand than others I have found. This book has given me me a great platform of knowledge to build upon, and I learned an incredible amount. It even helped me have the confidence needed to answer a question I was asked shortly after finishing. I couldn't help but holler, "I know this! I just learned it from Neil deGrasse Tyson!"

116 people found this helpful

Condensed, concise science meets social philosophy with humor and wit

I was expecting science, I got it. I was expecting meta science, I got it. I was expecting wit, I got it. I was expecting humor, I got plenty of it. Neil deGrasse Tyson delivered on all fronts, satiated my hunger for it all. Astrophysics and science in general are not for everyone but it should be! This book paves the way to reset our ego and places us in a framework that we are participants in this ever expanding universe.... a dust particle within a pale blue dust particle. Thank you Neil.

214 people found this helpful

Disappointing - not much physics

I was hoping for an entertaining, lay person's overview of quantum theory, the Standard Model, string theory, etc. This book doesn't even touch on astrophysics. There is a little discussion of dark matter and dark energy, but this book is more about the history of astronomy, how the planets were named, the relative prevalence of elements in the universe, how aliens might discover our radio transmissions, and other non-physics stuff.

393 people found this helpful

From The Department Of Exotic Happenings...!

Yes! We are all stardust!
Only the truly knowledgeable might not like "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry." I'm sure they're into much more in-depth works. But for those of us who dream up into the sky, it's a pure delight. Heck, even the knowledgeable might like it as Neil deGrasse Tyson is the best narrator out there, one of the best writers there is. Period.
Filled with wonderful ideas, galaxies devouring dwarf galaxies (ooh, bad karma!), massive radio telescopes, a fun run through the periodic table of elements, comets, a study of time, so much is packed into just over 3 1/2 hours. Yes, you do come out wanting more, more info, more ideas.
More deGrasse Tyson! Only he can make the strange ominous on one hand, fantastically enthralling on the other. Only he can make comparisons that are laugh out loud funny on the one hand, complete and utter poetry on the other.
Worth the price, worth the woefully short time, you'll be engaged and smiling the whole way through all these well-written essays that'll have you looking up at the sky again, fascinated, laughing in your heart and soul. Maybe you'll lose sight of the vast, vast, oh so vast picture, but you'll be delighted by the many small and provocative wonders you're left with.

99 people found this helpful

Arrogant in my opinion

I used to think a lot about Dr. Tyson... but after the last chapter this book got old. He basically called anyone who hasn't dedicated their life to science "inconsiderate". That's my take.

In addition, the book seems to cover more of what we don't know, versus what we know. And how much we assume to know that there isn't any proof of.

I have enjoyed so many other books on the topic, and it's nice to dwell upon the infinite, but find another book for that.

4 people found this helpful

Nothing new if you follow Star Talk

I was expecting something more... It's basically a shortened version of what you can hear in Tyson's podcast. I was expect some extra details.

7 people found this helpful

Hear it In Dr. Tyson's own rich & resonant voice!

Would you consider the audio edition of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry to be better than the print version?

I do not own the print version. I bought the audiobook specifically to hear him reading it.

Any additional comments?

I like to listen to his lectures on YouTube and this is like having a whole book full of lectures at once! The more I listen the more I learn and after repeated listenings I am beginning to feel like I know what he is talking about. It is not simple enough for people who have absolutely no familiarity with the subject, but if you have heard some of his talks before or seen his version of Cosmos then you will know enough to follow along. He's a born teacher whose enthusiasm for each topic is infectious. He brings real personality to his public speaking, and makes what was could be a dry subject very engaging and even funny. This one is AN ABSOLUTE MUST for NdGT fans, and will make new fans out of people who don't know him already. A great gift for anyone of any age with an inquisitive mind!

17 people found this helpful

Not as meaty as I’d hoped

Well narrated. I’m going to listen again.
Has some political pushing in it which is annoying. But I just wish it had been slightly more educational

6 people found this helpful

I was not smart enough

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

It depends on their knowledge of the topic already. NDT discusses a large amount of material without defining words or giving details to help someone understand that doesn't have a good knowledge.

What could Neil deGrasse Tyson have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

If he would have just given more details about everything, I would have enjoyed it more. He glosses over important theories I had never known.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed listening and he does talk about things I remember from high school, but my knowledge was just not to the point of understanding everything.

57 people found this helpful