Book Blog #362: Merlin's Tour of the Universe by Neil deGrasse Tyson

 

Title: Merlin's Tour of the Universe

Author: Neil deGrasse Tyson

# of Pages: 381 (hardback)

Genre: Non-fiction, Science

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Synopsis: In Neil deGrasse Tyson's delightful journey through the cosmos, his fictional character Merlin responds to popular questions asked by adults and children alike. Merlin, a timeless visitor from Planet Omniscia in the Andromeda Galaxy, has observed first-hand many of the major scientific events of Earth's history. Merlin's friends include the most important scientific figures and explorers of all time--da Vinci, Magellan, Newton, Einstein, and Hubble. While Merlin occasionally recounts playful conversations with these luminaries, all questions are answered with authentic science, infused with wit, wisdom, and an occasional rhyme. With the help of intermittent humorous cartoons, Merlin clarifies the details of familiar phenomena like gravity, light, space, and time, and travels to distant stars and galaxies to describe what makes them tick, rotate, explode, and collapse.

Review: This is the book for you if you:

1. Already interested in astrophysics (any level!)

2. Enjoy Neil deGrasse Tyson's unique voice (I recently watched Mythical Kitchen's Last Meal video with Neil deGrasse Tyson and loved how he explained things in a simple yet engaging and entertaining way).

That being said, I am not the type of person who would typically read an astrophysics book recreationally. Neil deGrasses's (as Merlin) fun yet informative responses in this Q&A compilation make this read bearable, but I wouldn't have been able to get a from cover to cover in a timely manner on any book on this topic otherwise.

The Q&A style might actually be best digested one question at a time, slowly over a longer reading period (if maximizing on learning). As a beginner in the astrophysics world, there were some questions (which range from easily searchable questions to meatier topics that require Merlin to distill it down into a digestible answer) that were clearly from people who are starting at a more knowledgable point on the topic, and is responded to in turn. Since I wasn't interested in diving too deep here, I just tried to absorb what I could from the book alone. Despite being a bit frustrated that I felt like I couldn't full appreciate the contents, I do think I came out of it knowing more than I did before, which I consider to be a win!

This could have easily been a 4 stars because I think it mostly achieved what it was going for, in the chosen format for the information. I am giving it a 3 mostly on my personal experience with the book: how much I felt like I got out of it (enough, but maybe not as much as I wished) and how much I enjoyed it (maybe I would have liked it better in audiobook format to feel more of Merlin's personality).

Book Blog #134: Bomb by Steve Sheinkin

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Title: Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon
Author: Steve Sheinkin
# of Pages: 266 (paperback)
Genre: YA, Nonfiction, Science
Rating: ★★★★☆
Synopsis: IN DECEMBER OF 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a uranium atom split in two.

That simple discovery, dealing with the tiniest of particles, launched a cut-throat race that would span three continents The plays were the greatest scientists, the most expert spies, hardened military commandos, and some of the most ruthless dictators who ever lived. The prize: military dominance over the entire world.

This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.
Review: A word of advice: try not to read this book in public.

I had been reading this book among a group of people I was only barely acquainted with, and I was receive  many strange glances  when the passed by me. It wasn't until one of the squinted at me and said, "I'm watching you!" did I realize that they were reading the header of the section: How to Build an Atomic Bomb.

Of course, feel free to read this out in public. Most people won't really care. All jokes aside, this was an amazing nonfiction book. The story and the concept of the atomic bomb was very easy to understand while also being entertaining. There are A LOT of different people involved, which means there are a lot of different names. Sheinkin tries to remind the reader ever so often of who's who (and if all else fails, there's an index in the back), but trying to remember everyone involved was a little disruptive of the flow of reading.

If you are looking for a good nonfiction book, give this one a try!