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finlay_b's review against another edition
4.0
An extremely accessible and entertaining overview of the history and science of black holes.
The opening chapters are preoccupied with general scientific concepts and events to background the following content on black holes. While these sections likely represent well-trodden ground for more knowledgeable readers, I appreciate their inclusion as they are well-explained and link effortlessly to the later topics.
I would imagine many of the facts "debunked" within the book are common knowledge, however slightly clickbait-y title aside there is still plenty within to fascinate. There is particular emphasis on the development of the field of black hole study, and current theories/research about black holes (potentially within our own solar system!) and beyond. Crucially, the author highlights the importance of several active studies as to how they might eventually influence our existing perceptions of the universe, and illuminate those areas where we possess limited understanding. Smethurst's friendly writing and enthusiam is infectious throughout, and make this book an absolute pleasure to read.
The opening chapters are preoccupied with general scientific concepts and events to background the following content on black holes. While these sections likely represent well-trodden ground for more knowledgeable readers, I appreciate their inclusion as they are well-explained and link effortlessly to the later topics.
I would imagine many of the facts "debunked" within the book are common knowledge, however slightly clickbait-y title aside there is still plenty within to fascinate. There is particular emphasis on the development of the field of black hole study, and current theories/research about black holes (potentially within our own solar system!) and beyond. Crucially, the author highlights the importance of several active studies as to how they might eventually influence our existing perceptions of the universe, and illuminate those areas where we possess limited understanding. Smethurst's friendly writing and enthusiam is infectious throughout, and make this book an absolute pleasure to read.
clacour's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable read
It is written in Dr Becky’s usual fun communication style while covering the topics in a clear and accessible manner. While it is accessible to the non physicist it is still an interesting read for someone who has a fair amount of knowledge about astrophysics and Black Holes. It covers many topics that help understand what Black Holes are and how our understanding of them was pieced together.
It is written in Dr Becky’s usual fun communication style while covering the topics in a clear and accessible manner. While it is accessible to the non physicist it is still an interesting read for someone who has a fair amount of knowledge about astrophysics and Black Holes. It covers many topics that help understand what Black Holes are and how our understanding of them was pieced together.
pezski's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Dr Becky Smethurst writes what is both an excellent introduction and deeper dive (as it were) into the science of Black Holes but also, due to the necessary digressions into associated areas for sufficient background, into astrophysics more broadly.
She starts with the very basics, and I did wonder whether this was a little too introductory for me (I have no formal education in the field, but love popular science and have read several works by the likes of Sean Carroll, Brian Greene, Neil de Grasse Tyson, and Carlo Rovelli - hell, I think I understood maybe half of Hawking's A Brief History of Time!) however Smethurst builds up the complexity level nicely and I learnt much I didn't already know. What's more, her writing is both clear and engaging in a way that ensures I understand it, on a non-mathematical, layman's level at any rate.
And it is this delivery that takes this to a five-star read. The author - despite her insistence that "space is easy, words are hard" - finds a balance between being very informal and very precise and informative, that really got across her passion for the subject in a way that reminded me somewhat of Helen Czerski, perhaps. This was certainly aided by Dr Smethurst's own reading of the audiobook, which is extremely lively and engaging which leads to believe she'd be an excellent lecturer, and I see that she is a science communicator on Youtube and a podcaster. Yes, I will be subscribing.
Very highly recommended or anyone interested in astrophysics, who isn't already an expert.
She starts with the very basics, and I did wonder whether this was a little too introductory for me (I have no formal education in the field, but love popular science and have read several works by the likes of Sean Carroll, Brian Greene, Neil de Grasse Tyson, and Carlo Rovelli - hell, I think I understood maybe half of Hawking's A Brief History of Time!) however Smethurst builds up the complexity level nicely and I learnt much I didn't already know. What's more, her writing is both clear and engaging in a way that ensures I understand it, on a non-mathematical, layman's level at any rate.
And it is this delivery that takes this to a five-star read. The author - despite her insistence that "space is easy, words are hard" - finds a balance between being very informal and very precise and informative, that really got across her passion for the subject in a way that reminded me somewhat of Helen Czerski, perhaps. This was certainly aided by Dr Smethurst's own reading of the audiobook, which is extremely lively and engaging which leads to believe she'd be an excellent lecturer, and I see that she is a science communicator on Youtube and a podcaster. Yes, I will be subscribing.
Very highly recommended or anyone interested in astrophysics, who isn't already an expert.