Letters from an Astrophysicist

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

Join the galactic conversation on the biggest issues in the universe, from the 'most popular scientist in the world'

‘Don't fear change. Don't fear failure. The only thing to fear is loss of ambition. But if you've got plenty of that, then you have nothing to fear at all’ – Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson is arguably the most influential, acclaimed scientist on the planet. As director of the Hayden Planetarium, and host of Cosmos and StarTalk, he has dedicated his life to exploring and explaining the mysteries of the universe.

Every year, he receives thousands of letters – from students to prisoners, scientists to priests. Some seek advice, others yearn for inspiration; some are full of despair, others burst with wonder. But they are all searching for understanding, meaning and truth.

His replies are by turns wise, funny, and mind-blowing. In this, his most personal book by far, he covers everything from God to the history of science, from aliens to death. He bares his soul – his passions, his doubts, his hopes. The big theme is everywhere in these pages: what is our place in the universe?

The result is an awe-inspiring read and an intimate portal into an incredible mind, which reveals the power of the universe to start conversations and inspire curiosity in all of us.

Review

"The most popular scientist in the world" (Sunday Times)

"Neil is brilliant and inspirational" (Brian Cox)

"Neil deGrasse Tyson is good as Carl Sagan. And that is saying a very great deal. Superb." (Richard Dawkins)

"You provide inspiration to many here at NASA" (Nasa)

"He has absolutely mastered the ability to convey not only the substance of the science but the real excitement and passion that scientists are feeling when they are doing it" (Sean Carroll, bestselling author)

About the Author

Neil deGrasse Tyson was born in New York City the same week NASA was founded. After a BA in Physics from Harvard, a PhD in Astrophysics from Columbia, and a Postdoctoral research fellowship at Princeton, Tyson become the Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium, where he has served since 1996. Neil is the host of the award-winning Cosmos TV series, and StarTalk, the first ever science-based talk show and podcast. He has over 13 million Twitter followers, among the top 200 people in the world.