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Starry Messenger

Written by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Publisher's Summary

This program is read by the author, world-renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

Bringing his cosmic perspective to civilization on Earth, Neil deGrasse Tyson shines new light on the crucial fault lines of our time—war, politics, religion, truth, beauty, gender, and race—in a way that stimulates a deeper sense of unity for us all.

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.

With crystalline prose, Starry Messenger walks us through the scientific palette that sees and paints the world differently. From insights on resolving global conflict to reminders of how precious it is to be alive, Tyson reveals, with warmth and eloquence, an array of brilliant and beautiful truths that apply to us all, informed and enlightened by knowledge of our place in the universe.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company. 

©2022 Neil deGrasse Tyson (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about Starry Messenger

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Super!

Ce livre est très intéressant pour remettre en perspective notre histoire le présent et notre futur. Un peu comme le livre Sapiens, mais un peu plus philosophique. La narration par l’auteur lui-même est parfaite.

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A new perspective on the world

I was hooked and couldn’t stop listening to Neil’s interesting point of views of the society we live in. Had me rethinking about all my societal opinions

5/5 stars Amazing!!!

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Incredible

My favourite listen thus far this year. Neil brings everything together in an interesting take on life and society. Great listen. Don’t hesitate.

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One-on-one tutoring! Thanks Neil.

Fab story telling. It took a bit of work to get over the expletive hurled at a critic at the beginning of the story. It’s not the fear of the f-word, it was how and who it was hurled at. It was a highly educated man telling a way less capable woman to shut the F-up. And I understood his reaction as I also did not agree with the woman. However, after years, decades and millennia of men in positions of power telling women to keep quiet I thought he could have done better. Especially since he very quickly follows up with the benefits of science because it deals with facts instead of strong emotions, his preferred way of dealing with the world. I also understand how we are all hypocritical, so I was happy that the rest of the book was really well written and narrated.

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Amazing!!

I really enjoyed listening to this book and I always love when authors themselves narrate their own work. The content of this book is great! It give you a different perspective on the world and made me think and reflect a lot on how I view the world. Highly recommend!

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Best when the author is also the narrator.

Overall excellent insight and humbling perspective of humanity and the world of life. Will read more of Neil’s work, and invest in my daughter’s future scientific education. Thank you Neil!

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Wonderful insights to the world and beyond

I truly enjoyed the book from start to finish and NDT's reading offers an additional element of story telling.

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Nothing special

Didn’t feel like this blew me away but I suppose for most people a lot of this might come as a surprise

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Amazing Orator

Listening to Mr. Tyson is like listening to a reincarnated Carl Sagan. His soothing voice and presentation is impeccable. I could listen to Neil’s books all day long.

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Best yet

Just a great read! His best yet imo. What a world we would have if we adopted this thinking!

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  • Anonymous
  • 2022-09-23

Optimistic

Look, I know the world has many problems. I'm a therapist and I've listened to many books about racism, misogyny, politics, poverty, mental health etc....but this book is a great break from it all.

The book gives us a cosmic perspective on our problems and on the topics that we hear about daily like politics and gender identity por example. Neil doesn't do this by being condescending or trying to explain his "views" on any topic. He talks about science, progress and the Cosmos in SIMPLE and optimistic terms and gently asks us to think about our place in the history of the universe when discussing our differences and problems.

The topics covered range from race and gender to conflict resolution and politics. I didn't feel any agenda being pushed. I just gained a more objective perspective.

Also, Neil reads the book himself! I felt like I was in my own personal Cosmos voyage when I put on the headphones. He's the best science communicator in my opinion.

Mini rant about high horse intellectuals:

I say he's the best communicator because I'm finishing my PhD and I see daily how academics think they explain things well when they're really being obtuse. I've also seen how some criticize Neil for not being active in research from their ivory tower. Astrophysics is one of the filelds that almost NOBODY cares about so academics should be grateful for people like Neil, Sean Carroll, Carlo Rovielli and others educating the public about this topics. Science communication is an art and Neil is the master.

39 people found this helpful

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  • Angy
  • 2022-09-20

YES!

Finally NDT is reading his own work! For non-fiction books the author should narrate their own books. Plus NDT has that voice. If he went back through his books and recorded them again with his narration, I'd buy them again.

The book itself is a wonderful stroll through overall science topics and astrophysics. It's all so crazy interesting and easy to take in regardless of a person's science literacy level. It's a sheer pleasure to listen to for both narration and content.

Of the highest recommendation.

PS I imagine that if I ever had the chance to have a few long conversations with Dr. Tyson where he wasn't on stage and could be less guarded, this book is what I'd likely hear from him. It's great to hear him be more like the people I hang out with, but a whole lot more intelligent. I'd want to cover this wide range of topics and get his thoughts on them, but not necessarily in a made for PBS kind of delivery. This is just a guess, of course.

22 people found this helpful

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  • Chip Grono
  • 2022-09-24

His biggest asset

He’s got brains, he’s got knowledge (hard earned)
But his greatest skill is sharing what he knows with us so we get it and enjoy it

11 people found this helpful

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  • Hermanubis
  • 2022-09-24

Chapter Six stole the show

I haven’t laughed this hard in while,the last 10 mins of chapter 6 definitely my faves. Love everything NDT, I thought Accessory to War was his magnum opus, I was wrong, this is it so far, Great human time to be alive.

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  • Julia
  • 2022-10-25

Waste of time

This is just author's thoughts about contemporary culture and politics. Nothing to learn. Nothing thought provoking. He has a good narrative voice , even at the 1.50 speed I used to get through this uninteresting waste of time and money.

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  • LebowskiToes
  • 2022-10-28

Honestly, pathetic

I’ve seldom been more sad than when listening to this book. This former advocate for the rational has somehow transformed himself into a silly egomaniac, to be laughed at.

You don’t need to read this book to know what the author’s opinions are. Instead, just browse the edgiest comments made by teenage boys on Reddit. Strawman arguments abound. Wildly incorrect assumptions are Mr. Tyson’s bread and butter here. Internal consistency isn’t even a consideration.

It’s not even worth rebutting the childish and false assumptions made throughout this book about what people believe and why. I’m convinced that Mr. Tyson has no idea how the minds of real people work.

Mr. Tyson spews bizarre bias throughout this screed, yet justifies it by positioning himself as the arbiter of reason. It’s pathetic, textbook narcissism.

As a memoir of someone whose mind has been poisoned utterly by Twitter and Reddit, this book is of some interest. Sadly, that’s about all.

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  • Randy
  • 2022-10-05

Lovely scientific and logical rants

This is my first review on here. it is refreshing to hear someone think so logically. I really wish I had more people like Neil in my life to converse with!

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  • Nate
  • 2022-10-03

I love NdGT. This was 'okay'

As a subscriber to Star Talk, and having listened to many of his books, this was a rehash of many ideas and opinions. It was his editorial opportunity, for vax, race, life and climate. All good topics but not much that hasn't already been heard if you're a follower of him, his other outlets or peers.

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  • Rebecca Fine
  • 2022-09-27

I love you, Neil! (In an admiring, non-creepy way)

I love all the books Neil has written and read on Audible. Keep up the inspiring work, Dr. Tyson! You are true, shining stardust, worthy of the title. <3 :D

3 people found this helpful

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  • Josh R
  • 2022-09-23

Big thoughts for the little people of aPaleBlueDot

Very intersting. This isn't a physics book or an astrophysics book either, nor cosmology. It's about the things we think about and do and the perspectives we come from and maybe what they should be. I like to hear his thoughts on various topics. I don't always agree, but I know with Dr Tyson it'll usually be a well thought out idea based on science and data.

3 people found this helpful