Cosmic Queries
StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going
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4.0 • 60 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
In this thought-provoking follow-up to his acclaimed StarTalk book, uber astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson tackles the world's most important philosophical questions about the universe with wit, wisdom, and cutting-edge science.For science geeks, space and physics nerds, and all who want to understand their place in the universe, this enlightening new book from Neil deGrasse Tyson offers a unique take on the mysteries and curiosities of the cosmos, building on rich material from his beloved StarTalk podcast. In these illuminating pages, illustrated with dazzling photos and revealing graphics, Tyson and co-author James Trefil, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia--How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone?--and provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories. Populated with paradigm-shifting discoveries that help explain the building blocks of astrophysics, this relatable and entertaining book will engage and inspire readers of all ages, bring sophisticated concepts within reach, and offer a window into the complexities of the cosmos.For all who loved National Geographic's StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos: Possible Worlds, and Space Atlas, this new book will take them on more journeys into the wonders of the universe and beyond.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"In the gulf between the depths of human curiosity and the limits of human ignorance" is a space to ask questions, write astrophysicist Tyson (StarTalk) and physicist Trefil (Imagined Life) in this breezy survey of physics's curiosities. The authors answer such matters as where the universe came from, how it will end, and whether intelligent life beyond Earth exists. In "How Old Is the Universe," they cover a "simultaneously practical yet dull experiment" conducted in 1964, in which signals from deep space were picked up by a satellite and provided evidence for the Big Bang theory. In "How Will It End" they describe the eventual death of the sun through its transformation into a red giant "engulfing the orbits" of inner planets. Photographs, drawings, and scores of Tyson's tweets pepper the pages, but less satisfying are the authors' inconsistencies in their answers to the questions. While some explanations are simplistic (their discussion of biology, for example), others are tough to parse (as with their explanation of the "cosmological constant" from "an early version of part of Einstein's general relativity" theory). Lay readers curious about the mysteries of the universe will want to take a look.
Customer Reviews
Disappointing
I’m always eager to read anything that Mr Tyson writes as he has a gift for prose unmatched by others. Unfortunately, this book does not reflect his writing talent. Rather, It appears to be a dumb down version of old cosmological facts and figures. Even a new twist on old material would have made this book more exciting. I’m still a fan of Neil, but not a fan of this book.
Very poorly formatted
Have to agree with other reviewer this is terribly formatted for anything smaller than an IPad. This was a gift so I cannot get a refund else I would. Publisher: you are damaging the author with this stupidity.
iPhone users be forewarned
Please be advised this book is formatted with a fixed and exceedingly small font, legal disclaimer sized, I’d say.
Publisher, please take note, the book isn’t serviceable for me in your arbitrarily assigned tiny font size. I would implore you to please consider reformatting this book to a version with adjustments available to font sizes and styles.
The star rating applies to format only, not content.