really interesting, really accessible physics, cosmology, and even philosophy topics that both answer some questions but also cause the reader/listener to ask even more. they use real world examples that really make sense to exemplify quantum physics and things in the cosmos, which make this stuff pretty understandable. i mean, i'm not going to remember it all or be able to teach a class on it, but it was at a level that made it both clear and also engaging. really good stuff. ( )

Cosmic Queries is the book form of the StarTalk's Q&A series from Neil deGrasse Tyson's podcast. I wouldn't say this is like an Astronomy 101 course. but you could certainly start here. The topics are interesting, with some of them a little too out there, and expect the timescale to be cosmological as well. Cosmic Queries takes the long view. The questions by themselves are borderline philosophical, but the answers are 100% grounded in science. As they should be.

I recommend listening to the audiobook version because, as always, Neil deGrasse Tyson's voice was made to narrate anything having to do with the physical heavens. ( )

Here's an enjoyable, undemanding (high-school level), and worthwhile survey of astrophysics, astrobiology, and cosmology. It's packed with striking color images and sidebars of various kinds.

Cosmic Queries: StarTalk's Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We're Going by Neil deGrasse Tyson and James Trefil is a very highly recommended informative, educational, and entertaining book explaining the universe.

"Cosmic Queries" is a popular part of the StarTalk series of shows where the questions fans ask on a topic are answered. Some of these questions require too deep or involved an explanation to be answered on the show so the book Cosmic Queries tackles those deeper, more philosophical questions in a conversational style that is informative, educational, approachable, and infused with some humor. The history of all related topics is included and assists readers unfamiliar with astronomy, astrophysics, and quantum mechanics to gain an understanding of the topics. Naturally the illustrations and photographs are beautiful and abundant.
In a well organized manner the chapters include:
What Is Our Place in the Universe?
How Do We Know What We Know?
How Did the Universe Get to Be This Way?
How Old Is the Universe?
What Is the Universe Made Of?
What Is Life?
Are We Alone in the Universe?
How Did It All Begin?
How Will It All End?
What Does Nothing Have to Do With Everything?

Each chapter then has talking points noted under the title. For example "Chapter 1: What Is Our Place in the Universe?" is followed by: Is the Earth a Planet?; Astronomy with a Stick; The Parallax Solution; How Big is the Solar System; Henrietta Leavitt & The Standard Candle; Galaxies; Billions & Billions; A Final Word. Interspersed throughout the text are copies of tweets Neil deGrasse Tyson sent out which span the gamete from philosophical to informational to humorous.

What really shines is the ability of Tyson to present difficult topics in an understandable manner. As someone who once answered the question "what boggles your mind?" with "the vastness of space," I appreciated the use of analogies and metaphors to explain complicated concepts. There are still many questions to be explored and answered and this book will likely encourage young scientist to consider a life devoted to the scientific endeavor of exploring the complexities of the universe.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of National Geographic in exchange for my honest opinion
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3997541219 ( )

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Cosmic Queries: StarTalk’s Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We’re Going by Neil DeGrasse Tyson and James Trefil tells the reader little tidbits about the world, and universe, we share. Mr. Tyson is an astrophysicist, Director of New York City’s Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, and a TV and podcast host. Mr. Trefil is a professor of physics in George Mason University.

Much like Cosmos by Ann Druyan, this book is filled with short chapters, filled with knowledge and wisdom. The book is written in a familiar language, the authors don’t assume anything so if this is the first book you pick about this subject, you won’t be intimidated.

Additionally, Cosmic Queries by Neil DeGrasse Tyson and James Trefil is beautifully designed, filled with equally beautiful photographs, graphics and color with amusing captions. Accordingly, every other page or so, there is a tweet by Mr. Tyson’s own Twitter account over the past 10 years or so.

By no means, is this book a comprehensive look at all these subjects. Chiefly there are short summaries of fascinating topics, an introduction which hopefully will create a spark and make you understand our world better, and even delve deeper into the ones you find the most interesting.

The authors did an excellent job explaining modern physics concepts in a simple manner. Nevertheless, several times I head to re-read some sections, but that’s because I either forgot or misunderstood what they wrote. However, that was because I was reading too fast, it had nothing to do with the explanations themselves.

In particular, the authors give analogies to the concepts they’re explaining to give the reader a sense of scale based on our own life. For example, to explain how big the universe is and how much we know about it, they compared it to filling a glass out of the ocean. By looking at our sample (a glass of ocean water), we know almost nothing, especially about the creatures living in the ocean.

Even though the subjects are complex, the book is an easy and understandable read. I highly recommend this book for curious, imaginative kids of all ages. ( )