I was introduced to Neil DeGrasse Tyson with the video series “Cosmos” on Netflix. (They recently removed the series from Netflix - very disappointing.) I listened to him speak on some radio programs and other interviews and eventually caught wind of this book. I’m fascinated with the subject matter (I imagine everyone would be - it’s about our history, present and future). This book is easy to read, informative, and leaves me feeling more aware without being overwhelmed with information that’s beyond my knowledge base. Plus, I’m so busy that I am notorious for starting books but never really getting through them. I read this weekend morning and a few evenings. Very light and yet rich. Extremely pleased.NOTE: I was NOT paid for this review. These reviews are too often polluted with fake, paid reviews. I want to be clear that my review is NOT paid for. My review is REAL.

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.

This is a very well written run through of some of the hot topics in current astrophysics. The author has a very friendly style that tries to engage the reader. It is a short book that seems to run out of steam around three-quarters in and ends up with a philosophical summary of where we (humans) fit into the grand scheme of things. I would have preferred he attempt to expand a little on some of the advances in knowledge he discusses - but I suppose that wasn't the goal of the book. However if it intrigues the reader enough to look elsewhere for a deeper explanation then he has done a good job.

Some early sections are not clearly written. They assume technical knowledge not explained before launching into the meat of the subject being explained. Sometimes I still could grasp the subsequent explanations, sometimes not. That quirk disappeared around 1/3 into the book, or (less likely) I got smarter.Kindle edition does not always have defined breaks between discrete subjects. Sometimes I was several sentences into a paragraph, and really confused, before I realized the author had moved on.

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.