Let me just start off by saying, “MIND-BLOWN!”
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry really lives up to its title. It gives a well detailed and insightful view into the beginnings and discovery of astrophysics in a quick and concise manner. And who better to learn from than the legend himself, Neil deGrasse Tyson.
I have always been intrigued by space. When I was little, I would always look up in the sky and wonder what else is out there, or who else is out there. And this book was just a perfect way to feed my curiosity in a historic, realistic and accurate manner.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable science communicators of our time, and he has spent a large portion of his career bringing awareness and interest into his specialty through modern media. He is approachable, friendly and charismatic, and self-aware that people enjoy listening to and learning from him. In a humorous and light-hearted manner, he makes us smarter and more intelligent.
“We are stardust brought to life, then empowered by the universe to figure itself out – and we have only just begun.”
This was one of those ‘whoa!’ moments for me as I was reading. It comes at the end of the first chapter. But after reading it, I really did need to just sit back and digest that. We are stardust, the universe gives us power and knowledge and we’ve barely made a dent in our being and history.
I love how Tyson’s tone makes non-geniuses in the field of Astrophysics (like myself) feel included and appreciated throughout the book. He doesn’t talk down to the reader, he speaks as an equal, as a colleague and as a friend.
Even though there are some complicated scientific and mathematical terms and concepts discussed, Tyson has cleverly nailed it at making them relatable. He drops pop-culture references and uses light humour to generate interest from the reader.
As a big chemistry lover myself, I loved the chapter dedicated to the Periodic Table and its elements. I truly enjoy learning and reading about the Periodic Table and was intrigued and captivated by the astronomical explanations of the elements which Tyson presented.
Now I don’t think this book will make you an absolute expert in the field of astrophysics, but if you are curious and want a bit of insight or answers to your questions about our world and universe, then this short and sweet book is ideal for you.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is a profound little, wise book that I would highly recommend. I am going to wrap up this review with a quote from Neil deGrasse Tyson:
“During our brief stay on planet Earth, we owe ourselves and our descendants the opportunity to explore – in part because it’s fun to do. But there’s a far noble reason. The day our knowledge of the cosmos ceases to expand, we risk regressing to the childish view that the universe figuratively and literally revolves around us.”
Completed on:29th September 2021
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