This is a good summary-level book of what's going on in astrophysics. It accomplishes it's intended purpose. Tyson's voice is distinct throughout. As it intended to be brief, explanation and detail are often left out or merely touched upon. If you like this and want more details and examination, I would recommend Bill Bryson's 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' which covers the subject matter much more thoroughly.

If Neil could spend less time listening to the sound of his own voice and more time thinking through what he’s explaining, this might be a very informational book. Instead, I’m an aerospace engineer for crying out loud, and even I am struggling to follow his explanations. It’s difficult to continue without reading such pompous sentences aloud to my friends.

This is a quick tour through the current state of astrophysics in 12 essays. Tyson infuses the subject with his usual dynamic enthusiasm and humor. The subject is not presented especially deep but it is useful for anyone wanting to get a better layman's understanding of the Big Bang (weird stuff), dark matter (weirder stuff), and dark energy (way weirder stuff). Tyson gives you a good appreciation of how chemistry and biology are part of astrophysics. He concludes with an essay on "Reflections on the Cosmic Perspective" that shows even astrophysicists can have great wonder at the universe we live in. Recommended.

Tyson possesses great talents, both as writer and astrophysicist, and both are on good display in this book. It is an amazingly easy read about incredibly complex phenomena. And, while summarizing much of what we have learned about the universe, it humbly and forthrightly assesses how little we still know.

I have a couple of degrees in the biological sciences but have loved all the natural sciences since childhood. That said, this is one of the best books of its genre for anyone who has similar interests.....layman or PH.D. Although I have never been trained in physics or astronomy, both have become strong interests that I have avidly pursued in my lifetime. This book is a wonderful, easily digestible summation of the state of man's knowledge of the origins of the universe that we inhabit.....to date. Highly recommended.