Neil DeGrasse Tyson's new book explores the frontiers of modern astrophysics and explains how modern research is answering some of the universe's greatest questions.

In Chapter 33 of Death by Black Hole, Neil DeGrasse Tyson finally pays off his title’s “hook.” He describes, in intimate, violent, personal and scientific detail just what it might be like to be killed by way of falling feet first into a black hole.

The description is intense, visceral, mind-boggling… and somehow both beautiful and poetic at the same time. The description of being pulled apart by the tidal forces of gravity, first in half, then into more and more pieces, all described in lovingly scientific fashion (which somehow never diminishes from the narrative), is truly quite an achievement.

The “Plot”

Tyson, an Astrophysicist with the Museum of Natural History in New York City, has interwoven this same sense of personality and personal investment throughout the length of this book, which seeks to answer questions that the casual lay-scientist may have about the universe around them (and, more importantly, to answer questions that they never would have thought to ask… until now).

Beginning with an explanation of how man has traditionally approached science by building better and better tools for observation and experiment (including a lengthy explanation of just how much scientific information can be gleaned using only a stick and a creative mind), Tyson continues to build his case in a series of seemingly unrelated articles all the way up to perhaps the most interesting section, entitled, “When the Universe Turns Bad: All the ways the cosmos wants to kill us.”

Along the way, he explores the many mysteries of the universe that have plagued scientists for centuries – from the heliocentric solar system, to how stars and galaxies form, to the mysteries of the big bang, to the secrets of plasma, to black holes, all the way up to the chemical components of life itself.

Even those who have read many such “popular science” books will surely find something both interesting and entertaining in this work.

Any Negatives?

Just one, really. There are times when Death by Black Hole feels a bit disjointed, as if it may have begun as a collection of essays, which were then molded together to form a single book, with some editing performed along the way to make it feel a bit more connected.

But this is not necessarily a horrible thing. While it may not always lead smoothly from one subject to the next (though in some instances it does this beautifully), one finds themselves having too good a time reading to really worry about this, other than to possibly take notice of the fact and then decide to look past it.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that Neil DeGrasse Tyson utilizes such an amusing, sometimes irreverent, style in his writing about science (and one recognizes immediately his enthusiasm regarding the subject – which is truly contagious), that one can’t help but be reminded of one of the great “masters” of science writing, due in great part to his personality and endless wit – Richard Feynman.

Anyone who found themselves enjoying such works as, “Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman,” or “The Pleasure of Finding Things Out,” will find a similar sense of humor and love of science in Death by Black Hole.

It is difficult (impossible, even) not to chuckle at many of his amusing non-sequiturs (not all of which are necessarily about science), or more importantly, not to stand in awe of his loving explanations about the truly memorizing universe he has been studying.

A delightful read that goes away far too quickly.

Book Information

“Death by Black Hole”

Neil DeGrasse Tyson, 2007

W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

ISBN: 978-0-393-06224-3