Customer Reviews

The Sky Is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist

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Dr. Tyson has written a wonderful memoir that will inspire anyone who reads it to become more interested in astrophysics, how to be a better parent, ways to improve as a mentor, and to seek out an inspirational profession.

The ultimate charm of this book is that Dr. Tyson is a warm, witty, self-effacing, and passionate human being. I seldom get the feeling from reading a book that I would enjoy having the author as a friend, but Dr. Tyson affected me that way.

For young people thinking about a career in science, Dr. Tyson is an excellent role model of how focusing on the joy you feel from the subject matter can evolve into additional joy from the intellectual content. In his description at the end of the book of how the putative Big Bang may have happened, I was enthralled. It was almost like reading poetry. Now, I have read many descriptions of the same subject, and have never been moved by them before.

Dr. Tyson also makes an eloquent case for creating planetary defense capabilities to divert or destroy asteroids or comets that could create catastrophic collisons with the Earth. I came away convinced that this was a worthwhile activity. You may, too.

Dr. Tyson had wonderful parents and mentors. I enjoyed reading about them as much as I did about the main subjects of the book. Anyone will pick up tips for being better at both roles from this book.

He also has a great sense of humor, telling many funny stories in a wonderfully straight way. In the process, he gently tweaks the racism that means that black astrophysicists have many confrontations with the police that white ones don't have, errors in popular movies (Jodie Foster will blush after she reads what he has to say about her), and our earthbound perspective that keeps us from appreciating the heavenly beauty above.

Dr. Tyson often appears with Peter Jennings on television. Watch for him, and notice his ties. He likes to wear ones with astrophysical references. He is the director of the Hayden Planetarium in New York, so you will often see or hear him quoted on the latest space-related issues.

I should admit a bias to you. When the college I attended holds an annual alumni gathering in December each year in Boston, I always go to the astrophysics lectures. The photographs are gorgeous, and the ideas are very exciting. If you have a chance to do the same, you should do so.

After you read this book, ponder his section on science and religion and reconsider how the two areas relate to one another. I found his ideas interesting. Then consider how the two areas could relate to each other better. That's a question hardly anyone asks.

The sky is not the limit is a novel that goes deep into the heart of the author, Neil de Grasse Tyson, who started out at a young age shooting for his dream to become an astrophysicist. This book gives the reader a mental view of the objects surrounding us both in space and on earth. Throughout Neil's life he has worked hard pursuing his passion in astrophysics.
I enjoyed this book because it is scientific and also teaches lessons of life that you may not otherwise encounter. I also enjoyed the comedy in his statements. I have learned that if I want to become a scientist like Neil, then I must start training at a young age. This book has opened up my eyes to become aware of many things that I did not notice before.

I just finished reading this delightful book of a black scientist's life's journey into the world of astrophysics. It's filled with interesting observations about astronomy, science, education, public life, experiences as a black intellecutal, and his role as director of the Hayden Planetarium. It's also filled with humor and many remarks and comments on astronomy, the universe, God, movie mistakes on astronomical topics, and even cremation vs burial. A very enjoyable read. I'm looking forward to reading some of his other books.

Astronomy is every physicist's first infatuation; which makes "The Sky Is Not the Limit" by Neil deGrasse Tyson somewhat of a love story. But this book is more about him than the object of his affection. It is a rewarding read because it is both general and specific. It provides insight into how all physicists think, while revealing much that is unique to the author. Like him, we physicists usually knew what we wanted at an early age and we share many of his youthful experiences (monthly pilgrimages to the Hayden Planetarium, high school nights spent with a six inch telescope). Despite our high coefficient of nerdiness, we were pretty average kids. The author, however, is not your average scientist. He writes and speaks much better than most of us. He is more famous than most of us. And, he is blacker than most of us. His reflections on being a highly educated minority in a world uncomfortable with both characteristics could constitute another fascinating book.

Dr. Tyson is a worthy successor to the late Carl Sagan who was both a public educator and an advisor to the government on technical issues. The book discusses the author's experiences in both these roles. It also includes his heartbreaking account of witnessing, and inadvertently participating in, the 9/11 tragedy.

Dr. Tyson relates how one can become totally absorbed in pages of equations. Indeed, if astronomy is a physicist's first infatuation, Maxwell's equations are their first true love. The author clearly wants to communicate to his readers the beauty and majesty of these equations, but wistfully acknowledges that impossibility.

After a just-for-fun chapter on the fate of the universe, the book ends with his views on religion, where he succinctly, and thoroughly, covers a topic that has generated countless tomes.

Neil LeGasse Tyson is the 21st century Carl Sagan, on a mission to popularize science. If you have ever seen him as a "talking head" on TV or online, you will recognize his "voice" in this autobiography / astrophysics primer: conversational, intelligent, and witty.

Tyson was a science prodigy, and his persuit of knowledge opened many doors - not your stereotypical urban black teen - but he does touch on how race has affected him. In addition to recounting his accomplishments, he delves into the science he loves in an understandable manner, and does not shy away from the science versus religion controversy.

I was thinking of buying this book for my junior high students, but his syntax, vocabulary, and science are too sophisticated. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and got to know my favorite astrophysicst a lot better.

You can't go wrong with any of his books. he answers all your questions to the extent of the "thinking of the day". He is interesting and humorous.
In my opinion the best in the business. He writes with an engaging style.
I would hope every school teacher makes Neil Degrasse Tyson's books a required read.

Having recently attended a lecture by Dr. Tyson, I was curious to know how the passion he possesses for his field of study was nurtured in its inception and developed through training and experience. This book went a long way in satisfying my curiosity as Dr. Tyson described childhood experiences, parental encouragement, and chance encounters that he seized to advance his knowledge and opportunities. It provided an interesting read and conveyed a sense of the exuberant personality of the author. This is a book that parents, mentors, and budding astrophysicists should enjoy, more because of the inspiration it offers than for scientific information. All of us need to be reminded occasionally how much simple words of encouragement and unselfish guidance can mean to a younger person. Dr. Tyson reminds us of how important that can be by sharing stories of the generosity of many people who took the time to help him along his path to success.

A thoughtful memoir written with clarity, intelligence and good humor. It was fascinating to follow the narrative from boyhood through professional life. This astrophysicist never talks down to his readers but presents his information and views in terms we can all understand, and he can be very. very funny.
One incident especially stands out, when he and some of his colleagues casually discuss why astrophysicists are disproportionately stopped by cops. He is heartbreakingly generous and understanding of his fellow humans' weaknesses when he writes about the racism that still has a tight grip on this country. I highly recommend this book for everyone, and especially for school children who will be inspired to do their best with their talents and in their circumstances. My favorite nerd of all time! And his title says it all. Buy a book for yourself and copies for all the kids you know.

Easy to read autobiography by a fascinating man. This is a very accessable book for a young adult. And my 27 year old science graduate student, who has a crush on Neil, zoomed right through it. I'd recommend this to any person interested in astrophysics, Neil Tyson, career exploration, growing up, making decisions, seeing the world from a different but very positive slant ... Great book.

Neil conveys the story we know of the cosmos (well, the very basics, you'll understand it all if you've taken an Astro 100 class) in a hilarious yet informative way. I can never get enough of him, it seems. His memoir provided an interesting perspective of the world, and he had a lot of funny personal stories.

And oh my gosh, his views on parenting? This was actually the main reason I got the book, because I heard that he talked about it a little and I'm a big fan of his so I knew most of the astrophysics stuff, though it was fun to read again. I absolutely love the parenting advice, and plan to implement that when I have children. He respects them as human beings and that is just something I see so rarely. I especially enjoyed his jokes at the expense of Mary Poppins.

If you love astrophysics and silly nerdy stories, (it's best if you have a little knowledge on the subject first so you can just sit back and enjoy) you will love reading the stories of a man who shares your same passion.