Book Review
Title: Astrophysics for people in a hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Genre: Non-Fiction, Science
Rating: 4 stars
This is a book that has been on my TBR for a while and as I’ve got older my interest in science has increased so I finally picked it up and at less than 150 pages long it was the perfect size. The opening chapter basically explains the conditions for the Big Bang to take place and how quickly it actually happened. Towards the end of the chapter he moves forward to how human life came to emerge on Earth. While some of these facts are well known learning about the smaller details was exceptionally intriguing.
Tyson goes on to talk about matter and energy and the numerous role they play in our universe and other universes. While these are getting into more complex scientific theories and equations, Tyson writes in a way that is completely understand with some basic background knowledge in the scientific field. I have only studied science to A level but I was completely comfortable with the information and couldn’t wait to see what Tyson is going to go into next. The way Tyson explained galaxies, dwarf galaxies and supernovas was so easy to understand and he not only injected humour into a previous very dry subject but created some elaborately vivid descriptions that rivals some science fiction novels I have read in the past.
The entire chapter around dark matter was extremely interesting. It was even more intriguing to learn that many scientists agree that dark matter exists and its effects can be observed but there is no general consensus on what dark matter actually is. This then leads into the chapter on dark energy and I was enthralled at this point. This chapter was also amazing but did reveal Tyson to be a real Einstein fanboy and I definitely am to now as he is an absolutely mad man of a genius in the best possible way and learning about Newton’s work and Einstein’s work was amazing and how their work has held up for so long but that might be changing with new discoveries that are being made all the time.
I really enjoyed the chapter on the naturally occurring elements in the period table blew my mind. Now having studied science I know not all the elements in the period tablet are naturally occurring but the ones that are these are extremely interesting. Most people will be able to identify hydrogen and helium as naturally occurring but many might not know that lithium and uranium are also naturally occurring every other element comes from doing stars and don’t occur naturally on our planet. He also briefly discusses the discovery of the planets and these elements which many might overlook but these sections have some interesting facts.
Tyson goes on to discuss the discovery of ultraviolet and infrared light and how the development of telescopes raced to catch up with these discoveries and in achieving this we learn a lot more about the universe we live in and space beyond that. Tyson insights into the planets, asteroids, stars, space junk and much more were delightful and developed on a lot of things most people already know or are aware of. He also touches on the idea of intelligent life of other planets and how it is possible and some theories about it that were amusing to read.
The final chapter Reflections on the Cosmic Perspective was really introspective for a science book and overall I really enjoyed it. However I did feel it was a little short and part felt rushed purely because Tyson was trying to put the most information possible into the fewest amount of words. That being said if you have an interest in science or space then I’d definitely check this out.
Buy it here:
Paperback/Hardcover: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
Kindle Edition: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
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