Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

By: Neil deGrasse Tyson

Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson

The essential universe, from our most celebrated and beloved astrophysicist.

What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There’s no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and bestselling author Neil deGrasse Tyson.

But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in digestible chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.

While waiting for your morning coffee to brew, or while waiting for the bus, the train, or the plane to arrive, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry will reveal just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the Big Bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.

©2017 Neil DeGrasse Tyson (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Excellent primer on astrophysics

This short book is packed with cosmological goodness and is an excellent example of the wit, wisdom, and knowledge of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, who has assumed the title of America's top science communicator from the late, great Carl Sagan. The book was more of a review for me as much of the subject matter has been discussed on his podcast StarTalk, which I've been a fan of for a number of years. Still, it never gets old listening to Neil talk about the cosmos. He is an excellent communicator and has a knack for explaining the complex concepts of astrophysics so that even those of us without science degrees can appreciate and understand them.

If you liked this book and have an extra hour a week, I highly recommend Neil's StarTalk podcast. The podcast is co-hosted by a comedian and Neil usually has an interesting guest and takes questions submitted by listeners. Guests range from astronauts to fellow scientists to celebrities who are interested in science. The comedian hosts are usually either Leighann Lord, Chuck Nice, Maeve Higgins, or Eugene Mirman. They keep the show's tone light and funny.

If you liked this book and have twelve hours to kill, I highly recommend Neil's 2014 TV series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, which was a follow-up to Carl Sagan's Cosmos TV series. Must-see TV for science geeks.

Exactly what the title says

A perfect primer for the unfamiliar with the Cosmos and all its complexity, wrapped and packaged in familiar terms, analogies and stories that ease our
understanding of the universe. It's funny in Mr. Tysons style and really easy to listen in his own voice and words.

Fantastic Read.

Dr. DeGrasse Tyson does an amazing job at introducing and exploring topics in Astrophysics. Great book for anyone from beginners to veterans in the subject.

Maybe better to read this one in print.

I really enjoyed this book but occasionally got a little lost. I think reading rather than listening would prevent this. I have no problem with the narration at all, Tyson is perfectly capable of reading his own book - it's just a dense topic and reading it yourself would allow you to reread sections etc. more easily.

Big Bang of information in a tiny dot of time

Informative and intense. Fortunately, rereading for closeer contemplation should be easily accomplished due to the short amount of time required for the re- read. Pleanty to digest and reflect upon.

Very informative.

The amount of information was almost overwhelming. Mr. Tyson takes concepts that most people do not know and conveyed them in an easy to comprehend narrative that explores our universe, both in the macro and elemental.

Slightly dry to start but interesting overall

It took me a while to get into the book with the first half being too dry for me but around halfway, it picked up and became very engrossing. Definitely worth listening to.

Like Astrophysic made into a bed time story.

Neil is a great story teller with a very elegant reading style. he makes big ideas and turns them into easy listening.

Truly eye opening

This book is every bit as entertaining as it is educational, I personally love anything that makes me realize how little we are and how much we still have to learn.

holy. shit.

Really makes you contemplate your true existence and purpose. Makes me less worried to let my mind wander into the self-ignorant cosmos.

holy. shit.