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Death by Black Hole, and Other Cosmic Quandaries

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What to expect

“[Tyson] tackles a great range of subjects…with great humor, humility, and—most important—humanity.” —Entertainment Weekly

Neil deGrasse Tyson has a talent for guiding readers through the mysteries of outer space with stunning clarity and almost childlike enthusiasm. Here, Tyson compiles his favorite essays that he wrote for Natural History magazine across a myriad of cosmic topics, from astral life at the frontiers of astrobiology to the movie industry’s feeble efforts to get its night skies right.

Tyson introduces us to the physics of black holes by explaining the gory details of what would happen to our bodies if we fell into one, examining the needless friction between science and religion in the context of historical conflicts, and noting Earth’s progression to “an insignificantly small speck in the cosmos.”

Renowned for his ability to blend content, accessibility, and humor, Tyson is a natural teacher who simplifies some of the most complex concepts in astrophysics while sharing his infectious excitement for our universe.

Critics Review

“In this highly enjoyable collection of essays, the ever charismatic astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson offers us a peek at the scientific mind in action.”

New Scientist

“General readers of every stripe will benefit from the author’s sophisticated, deeply knowledgeable presentation. If the casual book buyer purchases one science book this year, this should be the one.”

Publishers Weekly  

“The combination of a scientist who entertains and a narrator who completely captures the author’s style and intent is powerfully enjoyable. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.”

AudioFile

“Whatever readers’ scientific tastes, something in Tyson’s wide-ranging collection will sate them.”

Booklist

“[Tyson] demonstrates a good feel for explaining science in an intelligible way to interested lay readers; his rather rakish sense of humor should aid in making the book enjoyable.”

Library Journal

“Worthwhile for its sense of adventure and for showing just what science—imagination constrained by evidence—can tell us.”

Times Higher Education Supplement

“Smoothly entertaining, full of fascinating tidbits, and frequently humorous, these essays show Tyson as one of today’s best popularizers of science.”

Kirkus Reviews
Author Neil deGrasse Tyson
Narrator Dion Graham
Duration 12 hours and 6 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781483056678
Format Audiobook
Publisher Blackstone Publishing
Genre Cosmology and the universe, Science: general issues, Space science
Availability AU, GB, IE, US

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