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Reviews
Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution by Donald Goldsmith, Neil deGrasse Tyson
susani_'s review
5.0
This is one of the most amazing books I have read in my life.
All around us, our planet, the universe is a work of art. Fourteen Billion years of unbelievable history that leads us to this moment.
Breath taking.
Five Stars easily
All around us, our planet, the universe is a work of art. Fourteen Billion years of unbelievable history that leads us to this moment.
Breath taking.
Five Stars easily
aargee's review
5.0
The only thing i didn't understand was the very first chapter that describes on something massive & enormous broke or bursted. Apart from that, anyone with high school knowledge of Astrophysics & Science knowledge would be able to understand the language & formulas being used throughout the book although i wouldn't say simple language, but it's not that difficult to grasp the knowledge shared. It's a must read whether one is a believer or atheist whether or not a believer of science or even a cynic!! Very brilliant book that answers many scientific questions from 20th century & excites what beholds us for 21st century. This book is really Origins that talks all the way on the formation of Bigbang to dark matter to energy to atoms to stars to forces of Universe to planets to life to inter planetary to intergalactic travel. Even if one is a beginner, one should be able to get to the speed with a little aid. This is a MUST READ BOOK!!!
kaylecorey's review
2.0
This book was not well-executed. And it's incredibly frustrating, because the content is incredibly interesting. There were several times I was open-mouthed with wonder at the concepts that were being discussed. I was especially taken in by the descriptions and explanations around dark matter and antimatter.
At it's best, Origins takes complex theories of astrophysics and makes them easier to digest. But at it's worst, it reads like a textbook trying too hard to be funny. The net that it casts is too wide, and in an attempt to reach many levels of readers with many levels of scientific knowledge, it is hugely uneven. And the tone, while mostly genial, slides into mockery too often to be ignored.
I wanted to like this book, and it's possible I'm not the right audience. It opened my eyes to concepts I'm interested in learning more about, but as a standalone piece it fell flat.
At it's best, Origins takes complex theories of astrophysics and makes them easier to digest. But at it's worst, it reads like a textbook trying too hard to be funny. The net that it casts is too wide, and in an attempt to reach many levels of readers with many levels of scientific knowledge, it is hugely uneven. And the tone, while mostly genial, slides into mockery too often to be ignored.
I wanted to like this book, and it's possible I'm not the right audience. It opened my eyes to concepts I'm interested in learning more about, but as a standalone piece it fell flat.
billblume's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book mainly because I’d enjoyed Astrophysics for People in a Hurry and wanted to see how much, if at all, this earlier book might have gone deeper into that material. Can’t say it really provides anything I didn’t already get out of AfPiaH, but did offer something of a refresher that I still enjoyed.
jordana_dear's review
4.0
A good introduction to the origins of our universe in an approachable literary piece. I enjoyed this and recommend it for anyone looking to learn a little more about this topic.
kb_208's review
4.0
A very nicely written book all about the origins of the universe, solar system, and everything else. He talks about particle physics, astrobiology, and astronomy in a very cohesive and easy to read way.
Many people are lasing out at science popularizers lie Tyson, Bill Nye, and others, saying that it reduces years of work into simple explanations that don't allow readers to truly comprehend the complexity of it all. Some people may think they "know" the science after reading a book like this. I think that they have a point, but I don't fully agree. In a time when science and evidence is being attacked we need these types of people more than ever. Reading books like this sure doesn't make me into any type of scientist, but it does help me and others understand our world better and give insight into the process of scientific exploration. I think it can also inspire people to pursue these sciences more and go further with it.
Many people are lasing out at science popularizers lie Tyson, Bill Nye, and others, saying that it reduces years of work into simple explanations that don't allow readers to truly comprehend the complexity of it all. Some people may think they "know" the science after reading a book like this. I think that they have a point, but I don't fully agree. In a time when science and evidence is being attacked we need these types of people more than ever. Reading books like this sure doesn't make me into any type of scientist, but it does help me and others understand our world better and give insight into the process of scientific exploration. I think it can also inspire people to pursue these sciences more and go further with it.
nmacstay's review against another edition
5.0
this book is obviously the predecessor of the fantastic NOVA miniseries, which I absolutely enjoyed. Tyson's genius for explaining the astrophysics in non-genius terms is obvious, but it is his obvious joy in the subject that draws you in and keeps you there. A great read!
annemariewellswriter's review
3.0
I can see why Tyson wrote Astrophysics for People in a Hurry... because they read this and were like "huh?" I zoned out. It was just... a lot. Some of the exact same quips and jokes were in Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, and it's written in a much more accessible language. I mean, I finished it, and it's Neil deGrasse Tyson... but I would recommend people just skip it and read Astrophysics for People in a Hurry to have the same effect.
professor_x's review against another edition
5.0
2nd reading: I decided to listen to the audiobook my second time around and it was great. Nothing beats learning about star formation or immense galaxy structures at 6 a.m. on the way to work! The book is a wonderful combination of humor and science, making it fun to listen and to learn. The narrator Kevin Kenerly does a great job, speaking clearly and concisely. Like I mentioned in my first review, there are sections with math that I found difficult but I came better prepared this time around so I was able to understand just a little bit. Highly recommended!
Ah... Astronomy. One my favorite subjects to read about! I love looking up at the stars and absorbing as much knowledge as I can about cosmology so it was only natural for me to pick up this book. Plus, if you've seen the show Cosmos then you should be familiar with the host and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, a very knowledgeable astrophysicist.
The book goes into detail about different parts of our universe, from the absolute colossal size of galaxies and the theory of how they formed to the infinitesimal atoms and neutrinos. The creation of planets and stars are theories that are also touched upon. In the last chapter Neil talks about the possibility of life on other planets.
Tyson does a great job of explaining everything in Laymen's terms and sprinkles humor in there as well. I do recommend however that you have some knowledge of astronomy and physics because some jargon is used here. About two or three chapters get really mathematical and it made it difficult to follow so I felt I had to trudge through that information. I almost knodded off a couple of times.
There is also another version that was recently released called "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" which is the same book but a shortened version.
I loved the book! I'll admit that there is some bias because I am a lover of science and I look up to Tyson as well as Carl Sagan!
Ah... Astronomy. One my favorite subjects to read about! I love looking up at the stars and absorbing as much knowledge as I can about cosmology so it was only natural for me to pick up this book. Plus, if you've seen the show Cosmos then you should be familiar with the host and author Neil deGrasse Tyson, a very knowledgeable astrophysicist.
The book goes into detail about different parts of our universe, from the absolute colossal size of galaxies and the theory of how they formed to the infinitesimal atoms and neutrinos. The creation of planets and stars are theories that are also touched upon. In the last chapter Neil talks about the possibility of life on other planets.
Tyson does a great job of explaining everything in Laymen's terms and sprinkles humor in there as well. I do recommend however that you have some knowledge of astronomy and physics because some jargon is used here. About two or three chapters get really mathematical and it made it difficult to follow so I felt I had to trudge through that information. I almost knodded off a couple of times.
There is also another version that was recently released called "Astrophysics for People in a Hurry" which is the same book but a shortened version.
I loved the book! I'll admit that there is some bias because I am a lover of science and I look up to Tyson as well as Carl Sagan!