Question #1: Why read the book?

[[deleted user]]

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is a slim book with short answers to some serious questions. What attracted you to reading the book? Have you read any of the author's other work, seen his televisions shows, or listened to his podcasts?

[Ashley]

I think my first introduction to Neil DeGrasse Tyson was on The Colbert Report, and I was so delighted that this affable and outgoing person was advocating for science. I watched the first episode of his Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, however since I had watched Carl Sagan's original series, I didn't continue. I didn't know he had a podcast, but I almost wish I had twitter so I could follow him, because his tweets look great.

I was attracted to reading this book because I foremost believe in science, but don't always understand it. Like anything, you need to understand something in order to support it, so I am attracted to the works of scientists who make it their goal of breaking down barriers to understanding. Carl Sagan was like this, Bill Nye is like this. I have read a lot of Carl Sagan, and I think Neil DeGrasse Tyson has taken up Sagan's mission.

[Ann-Marie]

I'm listening to the audiobook and am about 50% done. It is over my head though! I'm determined to soak up this knowledge via osmosis at the very least so keep on reading / listening.

[Laura]

I've seen Neil DeGrasse Tyson on the Colbert show a number of times. I'm not big into science but he was always very animated and you can tell how much he loves science and teaching others about it. He has a way of drawing you in and making you want to learn more.

I don't normally read non-fiction but I figure if anyone could make this subject interesting it would be Neil DeGrasse Tyson. I'm currently listening to the audio version, and although I'm not understand all of it, I am enjoying it. I've had several laugh out loud moments.

[[deleted user]]

Ann-Marie wrote: "I'm listening to the audiobook and am about 50% done. It is over my head though! I'm determined to soak up this knowledge via osmosis at the very least so keep on reading / listening."
Thanks for joining us, Ann-Marie, and we hope you make it to the end of the book. We'd like to hear more of your impressions this month as our discussion continues.

[Kate]

I really have been meaning to give Cosmos a try. My only engagement with the author is through his Twitter feed or if he pops up on Bill Nye's twitter feed (another favourite science guy!). I have seen his podcast appear in my recommendations before so once I get my queue under control I'll have to give that a go too.

I'm also listening to the audiobook, which is also my first time properly listening to an audiobook, and like others I am finding his voice soothing. He does make the subject a lot more simple even though it is still largely over my head.

[Ashley]

Laura wrote: "I've seen Neil DeGrasse Tyson on the Colbert show a number of times. I'm not big into science but he was always very animated and you can tell how much he loves science and teaching others about it..."

Me too Laura! I am also listening to the audio book too. He even animated in his voice, and he brings humor and levity to some pretty deep and confusing topics.

[Susan]

My daughter is a big fan and actually met him at a lecture he did in Wisconsin. I had read Carl Sagan years ago, so decided to give this a try.

[Emily]

I was introduced to the author by my Dad, who is a big fan of Cosmos (the TV show). My Dad is not a reader, but when I bought him this book for Christmas he read the whole thing.

[Maureen]

I truly made an effort to read Astrophysics' Guide and didn't completely make it. Physics, plain old landbound physics, was never a strength of mine. Have to say though, as much as mystification as this book handed me, it also provided some wonderful information and I loved Tyson's enthusiasm and humour.

Initially I treated it much like a textbook, reading chapter headings and indexes, etc. And I read it randomly, dipping into dark energy and periodic tables and whatever caught my interest on the day. I was also encouraged by a friend, a physics teacher who happened to be reading the book at the same time. Even she found it difficult and felt that it was almost necessary to have a fairly good basic understanding of physics to really 'get' the book.

Still I loved that the periodic table of elements that hung on classroom walls so many years ago was outdated even then and another 18 - 20 elements have been discovered since; that I was reminded that light can be broken up into sound and heat waves; that observable matter only takes up about 5% of the universe; and, as Tyson writes: "The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you." Quite enjoyed it and the many websites devoted to space that I had never looked at before.