"[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. "[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" "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 " "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" "Smoothly entertaining, full of fascinating tidbits, and frequently humorous, these essays show Tyson as one of today's best popularizers of science." -- "Kirkus Reviews" "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" "Worthwhile for its sense of adventure and for showing just what science--imagination constrained by evidence--can tell us." -- "Times Higher Education Supplement" Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, author, and science communicator. In 2017 he became the first American to win the prestigious Stephen Hawking Medal for science communication. He is the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History and a research associate in its Department of Astrophysics. From 2006 to 2011 he hosted the educational science television show NOVA ScienceNow on PBS, and in 2014 and 2020 he hosted the television series Cosmos , updates of Carl Sagan's landmark series. Tyson has written multiple New York Times bestselling books. Dion Graham is an award-winning narrator named a "Golden Voice" by AudioFile magazine. He has been a recipient of the prestigious Audie Award numerous times, as well as Earphones Awards, the Publishers Weekly Listen Up Awards, IBPA Ben Franklin Awards, and the ALA Odyssey Award. He was nominated in 2015 for a Voice Arts Award for Outstanding Narration. He is also a critically acclaimed actor who has performed on Broadway, off Broadway, internationally, in films, and in several hit television series. He is a graduate of Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, with an MFA degree in acting.