Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Excellent easy read! Inspiring and insightful. It fed my desire for the information as a regular human trying to grasp the concept of our universe.

Want to try to understand what Dr Tyson is saying, by the book it's good!

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.

It’s a wonderful read. The author presents complex scientific subjects in a clear and fun conversational style. Would definitely buy again..

I love NDT. I watch his StarTalk often and I find him to be a hilarious, down to earth guy. This book has his tones all over it and it breaks down everything simply. If you have any previous knowledge, it'll be easier to digest but it's appropriate for everyone. It's a brilliant read.

A great read to challenge your everyday context and your view on what is important and what is not in light of our place/probability in the universe.

I have always been interested in astronomy and am a big fan/admirer of Neil deGrasse Tyson. He explains things in a way that is easy to understand, both verbally and in videos. I'm still upset he was involved in reclassifying Pluto was a minor planet. Eventually I'll get over it.......

The popularity of this book indicates that many have an interest in our universe home and want to gain a better understanding. The enthusiastic following of the recent solar eclipse also demonstrated that people want to know more about space things. The author does an admirable job of covering many of the current questions being addressed by astrophysicists and providing a fluent description of the universe as it has been observed. If read hurriedly this book will give a good overview of scientific space-think; but if studied too closely it may cause uncertainty about details such as the Big-Bang model that is presented in the text as virtual scientific truth.Readers should also not let the authors “sparkling wit” and self-declared ego distract them, especially if they are “religious persons” or mechanical engineers as the author seems to disparage both groups Religious people may question that the universe started spontaneously from a tiny dot that seemingly had no origin or precedent. In the absence of any scientific explanation they may wonder if the universe could have possibly been started by an omnipotent intelligent designer. Are we to believe that there is no cause or purpose for the magnificent universe? The author is quick to reject those thoughts because it may lead to a God-concept that many scientists cannot accept. However the author does facetiously suggest that perhaps super intelligent alien wizards may be behind the space-time curtains somewhere pulling all the levers to control things.The author also apparently gives no slack to mechanical engineers because they are “unrelenting skeptics”. [Disclaimer: I am a retired graduate mechanical engineer and, yes, I am highly skeptical about the Big Bang model singularity concept.]I am skeptical that the entire universe was ever squashed into an infinitesimal hot spot as small as a proton. I am skeptical that this hot spot was percolating at an “infinite” temperature of billions and billions and billions of degrees Kelvin (count the zeroes). I am skeptical that the Big Bang resulted in a sudden expansion (inflation) of the universe at speeds many – many times greater than the speed of light. The author doesn’t discuss this phase of the Big Bang in any detail, perhaps since he had previously stated that “The Speed of Light…It’s The Law”- constant and universal.There are some other scientists who see defects in the Big Bang theory such as the mysterious and unknown black matter and black energy that have been added to make the model work. More sophisticated models are being developed although it seems doubtful that mankind will ever be able to fully understand the wonders of the universe and its purpose by scientific analysis alone.In the last chapter of the book, the author becomes philosophic and, from a cosmic viewpoint, ponders a solution for “society’s racial, ethnic, religious, national, and cultural conflicts.” He envisions a world where everyone will understand our place in the cosmos and earthly differences will fade away. Many religious persons may also have that vision and believe it will come when there is understanding of the original cause and purpose of the universe and its creator.