Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

This relatively short book (208 pages) by Neil DeGrass Tyson is nevertheless chock full of facts and stories about people who contributed to the historical development of astrophysics as well as about the history, present, and future of the universe itself. The first chapter is an uphill climb, covering the first few minutes (as scientists are able to conjecture) of the birth of the universe. The reading gets a little less dense and intimidating after that and we find out about how the elements came to be, the theories that helped explain the size, shape and behavior of the cosmos, and the things that remain mysteries such as dark matter and dark energy. One has to admire Tyson for his mission to make science accessible to the lay reader and thereby to help create a better informed voting public. This book is designed to pique one's interest and hopefully motivate readers to learn more about Tyson's passion for the cosmic perspective and what it has to offer the human race. My book group that the last chapter, "Reflections on the Cosmic Perspective," was the best part of the book. After being inspired as a 9-year old by the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, he went on to become its current director! Kirkus provides a rave review; Time magazine offers an interview. The NY Journal of Books also praises his ability to make big topics easily digestible.