Listen free for 30 days
-
Accessory to War
- The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military
- Narrated by: Courtney B. Vance, Neil deGrasse Tyson - introduction
- Length: 18 hrs and 38 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $32.05
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
New York Times Bestseller
An exploration of the age-old complicity between skywatchers and warfighters, from the best-selling author of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.
In this fascinating foray into the centuries-old relationship between science and military power, acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and writer-researcher Avis Lang examine how the methods and tools of astrophysics have been enlisted in the service of war. "The overlap is strong, and the knowledge flows in both directions," say the authors, because astrophysicists and military planners care about many of the same things: multi-spectral detection, ranging, tracking, imaging, high ground, nuclear fusion, and access to space. Tyson and Lang call it a "curiously complicit" alliance.
"The universe is both the ultimate frontier and the highest of high grounds," they write. "Shared by both space scientists and space warriors, it’s a laboratory for one and a battlefield for the other. The explorer wants to understand it; the soldier wants to dominate it. But without the right technology—which is more or less the same technology for both parties—nobody can get to it, operate in it, scrutinize it, dominate it, or use it to their advantage and someone else’s disadvantage."
Spanning early celestial navigation to satellite-enabled warfare, Accessory to War is a richly researched and provocative examination of the intersection of science, technology, industry, and power that will introduce Tyson’s millions of fans to yet another dimension of how the universe has shaped our lives and our world.
You may also enjoy...
-
StarTalk
- Everything You Ever Need to Know About Space Travel, Sci-Fi, the Human Race, the Universe, and Beyond
- Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Luzma Ortiz, Kevin R. Free, Lauren Fortgang, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades, beloved astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has interpreted science with a combination of brainpower and charm that resonates with fans everywhere. This pioneering, provocative audiobook brings together the best of StarTalk, his beloved podcast and television show devoted to solving the most confounding mysteries of Earth, space, and what it means to be human.
Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
-
Starry Messenger
- Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization
- Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a time when our political and cultural views feel more polarized than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin chariots of enlightenment—a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science. After thinking deeply about how science sees the world and about Earth as a planet, the human brain has the capacity to reset and recalibrates life’s priorities, shaping the actions we might take in response. No outlook on culture, society, or civilization remains untouched.
-
-
There is really nothing deep about the book.
- By Client Kindle on 2023-11-16
Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
-
Letters from an Astrophysicist
- Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Vikas Adam, Piper Goodeve, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has attracted one of the world’s largest online followings with his fascinating, widely accessible insights into science and our universe. Now, Tyson invites us to go behind the scenes of his public fame by unveiling his candid correspondence with people across the globe who have sought him out in search of answers. In this hand-picked collection of 100 letters, Tyson draws upon cosmic perspectives to address a vast array of questions about science, faith, philosophy, life, and of course, Pluto.
-
-
Terrific
- By Ally on 2020-10-15
Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
-
Welcome to the Universe
- An Astrophysical Tour
- Written by: Michael A. Strauss, J. Richard Gott, Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
- Length: 17 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Universe is a personal guided tour of the cosmos by three of today's leading astrophysicists. Inspired by the enormously popular introductory astronomy course that Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott taught together at Princeton, this book covers it all - from planets, stars, and galaxies to black holes, wormholes, and time travel.
-
-
Excellent content... annoying narrator
- By mykey on 2019-04-03
Written by: Michael A. Strauss, and others
-
The Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know
- Written by: The Great Courses, Joshua N. Winn
- Narrated by: Professor Joshua N. Winn
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As recently as 1990, it seemed plausible that the solar system was a unique phenomenon in our galaxy. Thanks to advances in technology and clever new uses of existing data, now we know that planetary systems and possibly even a new Earth can be found throughout galaxies near and far.
Written by: The Great Courses, and others
-
How to Build a Universe
- An Infinite Monkey Cage Adventure
- Written by: Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Eric Idle - foreword, and others
- Narrated by: Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Alexandra Feachem
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Prof Brian Cox and Robin Ince take the musings of the great and the good of British science, producing an insight into the multifaceted subjects involved in building a universe, with pearls of wisdom from leading scientists and comedians peppered throughout. Covering thousands of concepts and conundrums, they tackle everything from the big bang to parallel universes, fierce creatures to extraterrestrial life, brain science to artificial intelligence.
-
-
great book
- By parmissa on 2020-10-30
Written by: Professor Brian Cox, and others
-
StarTalk
- Everything You Ever Need to Know About Space Travel, Sci-Fi, the Human Race, the Universe, and Beyond
- Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Luzma Ortiz, Kevin R. Free, Lauren Fortgang, and others
- Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades, beloved astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has interpreted science with a combination of brainpower and charm that resonates with fans everywhere. This pioneering, provocative audiobook brings together the best of StarTalk, his beloved podcast and television show devoted to solving the most confounding mysteries of Earth, space, and what it means to be human.
Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
-
Starry Messenger
- Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization
- Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a time when our political and cultural views feel more polarized than ever, Tyson provides a much-needed antidote to so much of what divides us, while making a passionate case for the twin chariots of enlightenment—a cosmic perspective and the rationality of science. After thinking deeply about how science sees the world and about Earth as a planet, the human brain has the capacity to reset and recalibrates life’s priorities, shaping the actions we might take in response. No outlook on culture, society, or civilization remains untouched.
-
-
There is really nothing deep about the book.
- By Client Kindle on 2023-11-16
Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
-
Letters from an Astrophysicist
- Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Vikas Adam, Piper Goodeve, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has attracted one of the world’s largest online followings with his fascinating, widely accessible insights into science and our universe. Now, Tyson invites us to go behind the scenes of his public fame by unveiling his candid correspondence with people across the globe who have sought him out in search of answers. In this hand-picked collection of 100 letters, Tyson draws upon cosmic perspectives to address a vast array of questions about science, faith, philosophy, life, and of course, Pluto.
-
-
Terrific
- By Ally on 2020-10-15
Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
-
Welcome to the Universe
- An Astrophysical Tour
- Written by: Michael A. Strauss, J. Richard Gott, Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
- Length: 17 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Universe is a personal guided tour of the cosmos by three of today's leading astrophysicists. Inspired by the enormously popular introductory astronomy course that Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott taught together at Princeton, this book covers it all - from planets, stars, and galaxies to black holes, wormholes, and time travel.
-
-
Excellent content... annoying narrator
- By mykey on 2019-04-03
Written by: Michael A. Strauss, and others
-
The Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know
- Written by: The Great Courses, Joshua N. Winn
- Narrated by: Professor Joshua N. Winn
- Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As recently as 1990, it seemed plausible that the solar system was a unique phenomenon in our galaxy. Thanks to advances in technology and clever new uses of existing data, now we know that planetary systems and possibly even a new Earth can be found throughout galaxies near and far.
Written by: The Great Courses, and others
-
How to Build a Universe
- An Infinite Monkey Cage Adventure
- Written by: Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Eric Idle - foreword, and others
- Narrated by: Professor Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Alexandra Feachem
- Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Prof Brian Cox and Robin Ince take the musings of the great and the good of British science, producing an insight into the multifaceted subjects involved in building a universe, with pearls of wisdom from leading scientists and comedians peppered throughout. Covering thousands of concepts and conundrums, they tackle everything from the big bang to parallel universes, fierce creatures to extraterrestrial life, brain science to artificial intelligence.
-
-
great book
- By parmissa on 2020-10-30
Written by: Professor Brian Cox, and others
-
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
- Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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 digestible chapters consumable anytime and anywhere in your busy day.
-
-
make the world smart again.
- By a2thak on 2017-10-19
Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
-
Cosmos
- A Personal Voyage
- Written by: Carl Sagan
- Narrated by: LeVar Burton, Seth MacFarlane, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and others
- Length: 14 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cosmos is one of the bestselling science books of all time. In clear-eyed prose, Sagan reveals a jewel-like blue world inhabited by a life form that is just beginning to discover its own identity and to venture into the vast ocean of space.
-
-
LeVar is like listening to a breathy James T. Kirk
- By Robert on 2018-04-04
Written by: Carl Sagan
-
The God Equation
- The Quest for a Theory of Everything
- Written by: Michio Kaku
- Narrated by: Feodor Chin
- Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Newton discovered the law of gravity, he unified the rules governing the heavens and the Earth. Since then, physicists have been placing new forces into ever-grander theories. But perhaps the ultimate challenge is achieving a monumental synthesis of the two remaining theories—relativity and the quantum theory. This would be the crowning achievement of science, a profound merging of all the forces of nature into one beautiful, magnificent equation to unlock the deepest mysteries in science: What happened before the Big Bang?
-
-
Theory of Everything
- By Gord Davison on 2021-06-13
Written by: Michio Kaku
-
Until the End of Time
- Mind, Matter, and Our Search for Meaning in an Evolving Universe
- Written by: Brian Greene
- Narrated by: Brian Greene
- Length: 14 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Until the End of Time is Brian Greene's breathtaking new exploration of the cosmos and our quest to find meaning in the face of this vast expanse. Greene takes us on a journey from the big bang to the end of time, exploring how lasting structures formed, how life and mind emerged, and how we grapple with our existence through narrative, myth, religion, creative expression, science, the quest for truth, and a deep longing for the eternal.
-
-
Stunning and beautiful! Best physics book!
- By Luc on 2020-03-11
Written by: Brian Greene
-
The Quantum Universe
- (And Why Anything That Can Happen, Does)
- Written by: Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Quantum Universe, Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw approach the world of quantum mechanics in the same way they did in Why Does E=mc2? and make fundamental scientific principles accessible - and fascinating - to everyone.The subatomic realm has a reputation for weirdness, spawning any number of profound misunderstandings, journeys into Eastern mysticism, and woolly pronouncements on the interconnectedness of all things. Cox and Forshaw's contention? There is no need for quantum mechanics to be viewed this way.
-
-
Failed attempt to explain the complex matter
- By Georgiy Zhukovskiy on 2023-07-04
Written by: Brian Cox, and others
-
The Edge of Knowledge
- Unsolved Mysteries of the Cosmos
- Written by: Lawrence M. Krauss
- Narrated by: Lawrence M. Krauss
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three of the most important words in science are I don't know. Not knowing implies a universe of opportunities—the possibility of discovery and surprise. Our understanding of science has advanced immeasurably over the last 500 years, yet many fundamental mysteries of existence persist: How did our universe begin? How big is the universe? Is time travel possible? What’s at the center of a black hole? How did life on Earth arise? Are we alone? What is consciousness, and can we create it?
Written by: Lawrence M. Krauss
-
The Planets
- Written by: Professor Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Mercury, a lifeless victim of the Sun’s expanding power. Venus, once thought to be lush and fertile, now known to be trapped within a toxic and boiling atmosphere. Mars, the red planet, doomed by the loss of its atmosphere. Jupiter, twice the size of all the other planets combined, but insubstantial. Saturn, a stunning celestial beauty, the jewel of our Solar System. Uranus, the sideways planet and the first ice giant. Neptune, dark, cold and whipped by supersonic winds. Pluto, the dwarf planet, a frozen rock.
-
-
Love this book
- By rose charlebois on 2023-04-01
Written by: Professor Brian Cox, and others
-
Pale Blue Dot
- A Vision of the Human Future in Space
- Written by: Carl Sagan
- Narrated by: Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan
- Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Cosmos, the late astronomer Carl Sagan cast his gaze over the magnificent mystery of the Universe and made it accessible to millions of people around the world. Now in this stunning sequel, Carl Sagan completes his revolutionary journey through space and time.
-
-
Read by Ann Druyan featuring Carl Sagan
- By Brian on 2018-08-27
Written by: Carl Sagan
-
Black Holes
- The Key to Understanding the Universe
- Written by: Brian Cox, Jeff Forshaw
- Narrated by: Jeff Forshaw
- Length: 7 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
By the star physicist and author of multiple #1 Sunday Times bestsellers, a major and definitive narrative work on black holes and how they can help us understand the universe.
-
-
Doesn't play well as an audio book
- By Yousef K on 2023-11-29
Written by: Brian Cox, and others
-
On the Origin of Time
- Stephen Hawking's Final Theory
- Written by: Thomas Hertog
- Narrated by: Ethan Kelly
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Perhaps the biggest question Stephen Hawking tried to answer in his extraordinary life was how the universe could have created conditions so perfectly hospitable to life. In order to solve this mystery, Hawking studied the big bang origin of the universe, but his early work ran into a crisis when the math predicted many big bangs producing a multiverse—countless different universes, most of which would be far too bizarre to harbor life.
-
-
Difficult
- By rmack on 2023-09-25
Written by: Thomas Hertog
-
Cosmic Queries
- StarTalk’s Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We’re Going
- Written by: James Trefil, Lindsey N. Walker - editor, Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Lauren Fortgang
- Length: 6 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this illuminating audiobook, Tyson and coauthor James Trefil, a renowned physicist and science popularizer, take on the big questions that humanity has been posing for millennia - How did life begin? What is our place in the universe? Are we alone? - and provide answers based on the most current data, observations, and theories.
-
-
not read by Neil in its entirety.
- By Andrew Beaucage on 2021-07-17
Written by: James Trefil, and others
-
A Brief History of Black Holes
- And Why Nearly Everything You Know About Them Is Wrong
- Written by: Dr Becky Smethurst
- Narrated by: Dr. Becky Smethurst
- Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Right now, you are orbiting a black hole. The Earth goes around the Sun, and the Sun goes around the centre of the Milky Way: a supermassive black hole—the strangest and most misunderstood phenomenon in the galaxy. In A Brief History of Black Holes, University of Oxford astrophysicist Dr Becky Smethurst charts the scientific breakthroughs that have uncovered the weird and wonderful world of black holes, from Hawking radiation to the iconic first photographs of a black hole in 2019.
-
-
Best history book
- By Anonymous User on 2022-12-02
Written by: Dr Becky Smethurst
What the critics say
"DeGrasse Tyson reads the introduction, and he does a terrific job. He has a silky, deep voice, and he paces himself well. He could credibly read the entire work himself, but instead he hands off the audiobook to Courtney B. Vance, whose voice is just as deep but more formal, even regal. Vance does a magnificent job continuing the story with a tone that supports Tyson and Lang's words. The result is an audiobook that speaks to all of us, even those who know little about astrophysics." (AudioFile)
"Extraordinary.... A feast of history, an expert tour through thousands of years of war and conquest.... Condenses multiple bodies of work into one important, comprehensive and coherent story of the symbiotic developments of astrophysics and war.... The lesson is not merely a wake-up call for astrophysicists, but for all of us, for anyone with the misapprehension that science somehow marches on separate from the rest of culture." (Jennifer Carson, New York Times Book Review)
"Through ample research and nimble storytelling, Tyson and [Lang] trace the long and tangled relationship between state power and astronomy.... Deep and eloquent. (Joshua Sokol, Washington Post)
"Fascinating.... Retells the history of space exploration, and of the Cold War, excelling in bringing forth the entangled advances of science and military interests.... The book’s message rings like a wake-up call. (Marcelo Gleiser, NPR)
What listeners say about Accessory to War
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kevin
- 2022-05-18
Doesn't quite hit the mark
First I want to say that's it a good book and some people might appreciate it more than me. I found the narrative repetitive from one chapter to another which made it hard stop stay engaged. Maybe my expectations wasn't at the right place...it's more of a history book than am astrophysic book.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Caden Francescesco Cuglietta
- 2019-06-08
Intellectually enlightening
Although lengthy for an audiobook in my opinion, every second of this book was intriguing and covers almost everything you would want or need to know about the evolution of war and astrophysics as well as containing lots of history while remaining generally unbiased. 10/10 would recommend
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
- Stéphane
- 2018-10-27
NDGT nails it again
The authors did a great job of uncovering details that help paint a complete picture of how scientific and political interests often aligned in ways that helped foster technological improvements.
The underlying science is interesting in itself, presented in a clear way by NDGT as usual. The history and politics would also make for the best history course of your life.
Kodoos to both authors!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Noah L.
- 2019-05-13
Interesting, thorough examination that drags a bit
NDT has a fairly strong "little" book here, and if you're interested at all in the history of military science, you'll find enough here to do you well. Overall, I enjoyed it, and while there were some moments where I seriously lost track of what the author was on about, the narrator is engaging enough and the substance of the stories are interesting enough that I usually could get back on track. deGrasse Tyson isn't a bad historian either: while he neglects to mention his sources and context a bit too often for my tastes, he at least pulls from a wide range of them (including not just eurocentric ones) and the sheer breadth is surprisingly large.
I do have to say of NDT's writing style though that there are moments where the word-to-word prose drags—needless descriptions of minute details, overly-technical tangents not really relevant to his point, and overall a bit too much bloat for what NDT's trying to say. It's also a bit hard to find the themes the author is trying to draw out of every story he tells, from the effect astrology had on Victorian England and Nazi Germany, to the rapid development of the optical and then mechanical telegraph. The stories are interesting and they're presented in a compelling way, but it could have used another pass in editing to cut it down—it's more difficult than it should be to see why we're learning any of this.
Overall: it's a good book, a bit too long and full of unnecessary details, but the overall subject and the enthusiasm with which it's presented will get even non-fans most of the way through. Recommended for anyone with an interest in military history or the history of science.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mathieu Côté
- 2021-04-02
Good insights about technology
Well read. Historically filled with origns and ramifications of tech development at the strategic cutting edge of science.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- TK
- 2018-09-18
Mind Melting.
More of what every curious mind needs. Expanding beyond "Astrophysics" NDT shines a flashlight on every facet of what we today call 'Science'. #Audible1
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Aarik
- 2019-01-06
Excellent book, very informative and interesting.
Another brilliant book by Dr.Tyson. Though I think he could have used a better more enthusiastic Narrator. Very informative and intriguing.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jeremy
- 2019-03-02
Only 1 flaw
Neil didn't narrate the book - Other than that, wonderful! "ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen."
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Scott
- 2020-05-26
Great Listen!
Super insightful and entertaining. If you are a fan of Neil deGrasse Tyson I highly recommend it!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!