Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Name: Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
Rating: 7.41 (118 reviews)
ISBN: 9780393609394

What is the nature of space and time? How do we fit within the universe? How does the universe fit within us? There's no better guide through these mind-expanding questions than acclaimed astrophysicist and best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson.

But today, few of us have time to contemplate the cosmos. So Tyson brings the universe down to Earth succinctly and clearly, with sparkling wit, in tasty chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.

While you wait for your morning coffee to brew, for the bus, the train, or a plane to arrive, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry will reveal just what you need to be fluent and ready for the next cosmic headlines: from the Big Bang to black holes, from quarks to quantum mechanics, and from the search for planets to the search for life in the universe.

ADD TO MY SHELVES

Recommend book

BUY THE BOOK

Published May 2, 2017

224 pages

Average rating: 7.41

118 RATINGS

Join a book club that is reading Astrophysics for People in a Hurry!

L.A.B. R.A.T.S. Science Book Club

Let's Actually Begin Reading About the Sciences (LABRATS)! A science book club that bridges the gap between empirical data and narrative. We tackle a new scientific frontier, pairing deep dive non-fiction with speculative fiction.

Learn More

Community Reviews

Write a review...

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Astrophysics for People in a Hurry* is a fabulously easy, engaging introduction to complex cosmic concepts, making astrophysics accessibl...

Sue Dix

Mar 14, 2026

10/10 stars

This is a fabulously easy book to understand and to fall in love with. I’m a big Neal deGrasse Tyson fan, anyway, but he makes astrophysics accessible and interesting. Aside from the science, he has a wonderful perspective on humanity and our place in the cosmos.

foxland

Jan 04, 2026

8/10 stars

Great info but redundant having read other books by the author first. If this is your first introduction, you will probably love it.

Oree

Jun 25, 2025

10/10 stars

Chapter 12 had me awestuck with its implications and demands it laid on me to realise how connected I am to earth and all humans regardless of race, class or any other divisions we make for ourselves.

Curator of Creeps & Community

Feb 18, 2026

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry made me feel incredibly stupid and incredibly enlightened at the exact same time. Neil deGrasse Tyson has this magical ability to explain the literal universe in ways I can understand, while also constantly reminding me that I am a microscopic speck floating on a damp rock in space. I would read a page, understand it, feel proud of myself…then immediately realize how much I will never comprehend. Humbling. Fascinating. Existential in the best way.

DLB

Dec 14, 2025

8/10 stars

I highly recommend getting the audio book because it us read by the author. If you cannot read the whole book, which is actually quite short, at least listen to chapter 12.