Astrophysics for People in a Hurry - pre-read

[Kaseadillla]

Hello all - starting up discussions for the MARCH 2018 BOTMs. This discussion is for the group's poll selection for the MODERN CLASSICS/POPULAR READS category: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

This discussion will be SPOILER-FREE. If you have already finished the book and want to discuss, hop on over to the spoiler-filled discussion HERE .

Happy reading!
Kasey

[ｄａｎｉｅｌａ]

Such a small book, but it's definitely going to be a slow read! At least for me, because I did not get straight A's in science, lol.

[Sarah]

Probably not going to get to this for another week or two, but I definitely plan on reading it!

[Cheryl]

My copy came in just now, hope to get to it in about a week!

It's supposed to be accessible to ppl who struggled with science, isn't it? I mean, I thought that was the point?

[ｄａｎｉｅｌａ]

Cheryl wrote: "My copy came in just now, hope to get to it in about a week!

It's supposed to be accessible to ppl who struggled with science, isn't it? I mean, I thought that was the point?"

Yes, it is. But having read the first few pages, there's still going to be parts where I'm going to have to rub some brain cells together to understand. Its still simplistic, but not fifth grade science simplistic... which is a shame because I got A's in fifth grade science.

[Rachelnyc]

☆*:.｡. ＤＡＮＩＥＬＡ .｡.:*☆ wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "My copy came in just now, hope to get to it in about a week!

It's supposed to be accessible to ppl who struggled with science, isn't it? I mean, I thought that was the point?"

Yes,..."

Yea, I only read the first few pages and my mind is reeling a bit. I do like NDT's sense of humor though and I'm looking forward to reading this.

[NancyJ]

I still wish there were some pictures so we could at least get a "shot of awe" from it. Maybe we will be awe struck by the descriptions. A lot of people say this is one book you read one essay at a time.

[Renee]

I am not excited about this one. I have it but i keep finding other things to do.
LOL

[[deleted user]]

I listened to the audio version and would recommend it, especially if you also have access to the print version. (I ended up buying the print version afterward but now wish I had both while listening.) Also, this book should be read slowly. Even with the "for people in a hurry" angle, it still is a lot of info to process.

[NancyJ]

Renee wrote: "I am not excited about this one. I have it but i keep finding other things to do.
LOL"

I'm not sure it will generate much of a discussion, but who knows?

[Laura H L]

Lisa A wrote: "I listened to the audio version and would recommend it, especially if you also have access to the print version. (I ended up buying the print version afterward but now wish I had both while listeni..."

I listened to the audio version as well. I may listen to it again as I need to reflect on it some more!

[NancyJ]

I look forward to hearing which essays people like the best - or is the most essential, or the most surprising.

[Cheryl]

NancyJ wrote: "I look forward to hearing which essays people like the best - or is the most essential, or the most surprising."

Or even the most easy, or difficult, to understand!

[Sue]

I have this on my e-reader and plan to get it started soon.

[Mo]

Anyone else reading this book in his voice?? I can't get it to stop haha

[Joanna Loves Reading]

I have it checked out to listen. Looking forward to it.

[Tawnee]

I started to listen to this book, but got bored.
I guess I will give it one more shot!

[Juliette]

Renee wrote: "I am not excited about this one. I have it but i keep finding other things to do.
LOL"

Would you recommend having the print version while listening to it?

[Emily]

I'm surprised how small it is! I guess it really is for people in a hurry? 😂

[Cheryl]

I was planning to listen to it, but then my request for the print book was finally filled. I do see that there are no illustrations. I guess I'll try to listen, and if I have trouble following, go back to print.

[Kerri]

I have it on hold at the library. I think I am number two in line? So who knows when I will get it. The audio version has a lot more holds, so I'm guessing that is more popular for most people! I'll just have to get by with reading it :)

[Cheryl]

Ok, I've listened for about an hour (?) and I'm sure I'm missing a lot. His voice and delivery are great, but it's so concise, every word counts. I'll def. read it in paper, too.

[Renee]

I am trying to listen to the audio. I may try print. Audio is putting me to sleep.

I feel i should finish this. It is so far from my area of interest that i think holding the book may be what's needed. Audio is working like ambian for me.

[Cheryl]

Ok, I found myself not being able to follow the audio at all. Reading it was somewhat better. So I read the book... and it's still a challenge, because it is indeed so compressed.

I understood it all as much as was given. But so much was left out, I kept getting distracted by my questions like "what does that mean" and "how does that work" etc. I think I need to read one of his longer works.

Otoh, I do have a passing familiarity with quarks, quasars, etc., so maybe that helps. Maybe this isn't "Astrophysics for beginners" *at all* but is actually meant to be a superficial sampler.

I'll put more comments in the "spoiler" thread.

[Cheryl]

So, anyway, I recommend that you-all read it in print, and that you
read at least the very last chapter, the lovely philosophical view.

[Gaye-lynn]

I started reading this and have realized that I am completely uninterested in the subject matter! Not sure if I'm going to get through it. Quark Smork. At least it's short!

[Cheryl]

Gaye-lynn, skip ahead to the last chapter. If that doesn't make you more interested, don't bother with the rest. :)

[Renee]

I cannot read more then few paragraphs. I may have to shelve this one. I read for pleasure. I very rarely read non -fiction. I am just not feeling this,

I love to listen to the author in interviews but I just cant keep going.

I am sorry

[Abigail]

I wasn't planning on reading this but I found the audiobook on Hoopla so I decided to go ahead and join in. So far it's fairly interesting. I like to read popular science books every once and a while and I've taken a few physics classes (and a history of science course!) so I already know a good chunk of what he's presenting in this book. I'm not a big fan of his - he comes off unbearably smug to me sometimes - but I'm liking his narration. It's almost like a bedtime story haha.

[Catherine]

Abigail wrote: "I wasn't planning on reading this but I found the audiobook on Hoopla so I decided to go ahead and join in. So far it's fairly interesting. I like to read popular science books every once and a whi..."

That's where i found a copy of the audiobook! I'm finishing another audiobook, Future Home of the Living God first, so will get to this in a day or so.

[Marcie]

Ok, I am about ninety-five pages into Neil deGrasse Tyson's Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, and I only have a few days left to read it. It is on a short loan from a friend.

Since my time is limited, I cannot read it with great care by taking my time and rereading passages and chapters as needed. I have decided to plow through the book and not read it for involved understanding but instead read it for the joy of being exposed to heady, new concepts.

[Cheryl]

Marcie, I think that's exactly what the author expects, even hopes, most people will do. It's meant to stimulate joy & possibly interest in further reading, I believe.

[Courtney]

I was really expecting to start this book and not be able to set it down until I finished it....but that's not quite the case. I'm really struggling with this one. After a few pages, I can't help but either fall asleep or just put it down and do something else. I'm only on the 3rd chapter, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to get motivated to continue. The first chapter was so far over my head that I think it extinguished my excitement.

[Emily]

I felt the same way. I’m not on chapter 6 and it’s gotten easier. Not that the material is less complicated... I think my expectations are just adjusted. I’m definitely reading (occasionally skimming) for enjoyment and exposure to the content.. I’m definitely not taking notes.

[Marcie]

Cheryl wrote: "Marcie, I think that's exactly what the author expects, even hopes, most people will do. It's meant to stimulate joy & possibly interest in further reading, I believe."

Thank you for the encouragement, Cheryl! I oftentimes get caught up in minutiae and travel down the rabbit hole, but having a short timeline to complete the book has liberated me to enjoy the literary ride and enjoy the newness of the material.

[Courtney]

Emily wrote: "I felt the same way. I’m not on chapter 6 and it’s gotten easier. Not that the material is less complicated... I think my expectations are just adjusted. I’m definitely reading (occasionally skimmi..."

Funny, I just finished Chapter 6 and feel the same way. I’m suddenly really enjoying it and am almost contemplating re-reading once I’ve finished in order to see it in a new perspective.

[Sue]

I appreciate the comments about just reading through and enjoying the book. I too found myself taking mental notes, as if I need to recall the concepts for a test.

Thankfully no test! And I'm enjoying the book much more now.

[Kelly]

Oh, man. two chapters in and it feels like I'm reading a foreign language. I know the words, but they aren't making sense to me. LOL
I had to put it down and pick up something else for a while.
Whew, my brain is tired.

[Debbie]

I think I'm going to bail on this book. It is too deep for me.

[Sarah]

I felt the same way! But I’m really glad I finished it! I just made sure I only read it when my brain wasn’t completely exhausted, and it turned out to be fascinating. And it just so happened that I finished it a week before taking my students on a field trip to NASA, so that made the experience even more neat!

[Sarah]

And I agree, it helps to read it just to enjoy it, don’t try to soak it all in. You’ll come away with some new knowledge no matter what.

[Courtney]

I finished the book but felt the same as you, Debbie. I giggle when I read the “spoilers” section and people are saying it wasn’t deep enough for them...boy do I feel shallow then ;) Don’t be discouraged. It’s a worthwhile read even if like, in my case, a bit of it is over your head.