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Reviews
Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution by Donald Goldsmith, Neil deGrasse Tyson
jordana_dear's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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!
karenpr's review against another edition
Nothing new and not very interestingly presented.
ajith_wordshaker's review against another edition
4.0
Neil deGrasse Tyson, one of my favourite author next to Carl Sagan. He tries to disclose the adventure called Origin of cosmic revolution in this book. The Origin, where we actually came from and where we are going the question still unanswered by the scientific community. Looking back to the history of humanity, we became advanced recently, we invented huge telescopes to discover new planets, stars etc. We invented vehicles, ships, airplanes, rockets to travel at a speeder pace. All this happened quite recently within a 500-1000 years timeline. But the history of humanity, the history of this earth is millions of years old. Likewise many civilizations might have formed and destroyed all across this universe. So we can’t say we are on the verge of creation or destruction. Anyway we are all in a quest to find out the Origin. The origin of everything !!!
"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time…" -T. S. Eliot, 1942
"We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time…" -T. S. Eliot, 1942
emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting listen. Would love something more recent, but still a good primer.