Phil Plait, Ph.D. is a NASA-funded research astronomer with more than ten years of professional experience. He has written astronomy articles for magazines such as "Astronomy," "Muse," and "Space Illustrated," and has been published in the "Boston Globe." Plait has appeared on national radio and TV programs, including the Sci-Fi Channel's "Countdown to Doomsday" documentary.
"[Plait] describes each doomsday scenario with glee?.Yet for all
that, his book is strangely comforting?.Comprehensible and
engaging."
?"Washington Post Book World"
?Plait is one of the world's favorite astronomers. He is an
entertaining writer, jocular and jaunty, which produces a
delightful clash with the ideas in this book, which, since it is a
scientific look at the unpredictable but inevitable end of the
Earth and of us and all our progeny, ought to be a real downer.
It's not at all. The enthusiasm Plait has for his subject is not
any morbid fascination with the upcoming bang or whimper, but with
how much we know now about the universe around us, and he conveys
this enthusiasm with pages full of wonder. This is a fun way to
learn about cosmology. Readers will come away with admiration for
all the learning and informed speculation encompassed here, but
also, if you are like me, an increased sense of wonder and
value.?
? "Commercial Dispatch"
?A surprisinglyo
aA surprisingly upbeat look at all the ways the universe can
destroy usa].Eminently readable basic science with an irresistible
hook.a
a"Kirkus" (Starred Review)
aFans of disaster-from-space movies or of science-fiction novels
will definitely want to check out this lively, yet also rather
scary, book by a noted astronomer and creator of the clever Web
site badastronomy.com. The book is extremely informativea]a crash
course in astronomy as well as a cautionary tale about the
(possibly brief) future of our world.a
a"Booklist"
aPlait presents ain loving detaila the many, many ways the human
race could die, from temperature extremes and poisonous atmosphere
to asteroid impacts and supernovae explosions. Balancing his
doomsday scenarios with enthusiastic and clear explanations of the
science, Plait offers a surprisingly educational and enjoyable
astronomical horror show. He gives readers a good scare, and then
puts it in context.a
a"Publishers Weekly"
"Reading this book is like getting punched in the face by Carl
Sagan. Frightening, yet oddly exhilarating."
aDaniel H. Wilson, author of "How to Survive a Robot Uprising"
"These Doomsday scenarios are as gripping as any science fiction,
but-- amazingly-- each one is grounded in carefully researched
science. Plait's message is simple: Eat, drink, and be merry, for
tomorrow -- or five billion years from now -- we die!"
a Simon LeVay, Ph.D., author of "When Science Goes Wrong: Twelve
Tales from the Dark Side of Discovery"
aPhil Plait has done it again. He brings his unique and funny voice
of reason and sanity to bear on making sense of a deadly universe.
If things worked the way I wanted them to, anyreporter about to do
another "sensational" story on deadly meteors would consult this
volume and BANG! Common sense would find it's way into the news.
How strange would THAT world be? On his blog and in his books,
Plait is an important source of sanity and critical thinking, with
just the right sense of wonder, reminding us that the universe is
an amazing enough place without having to make crap up about
it.a
a Adam Savage, from Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters"
aPhil Plait scares the reader witless with one cosmic doomsday
scenario after the next, right on through the death of the universe
itself. But it's not all bad. You're smiling throughout as he
displays his special blend of expertise and wit.a
a Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of "Death By Black Hole"a
aPhil Plait has done it again. He brings his unique and funny voice
of reason and sanity to bear on making sense of a deadly universe.
If things worked the way I wanted them to, any reporter about to do
another "sensational" story on deadly meteors would consult this
volume and BANG! Common sense would find it's way into the news.
How strange would THAT world be? On his blog and in his books,
Plait is an important source of sanity and critical thinking, with
just the right sense of wonder, reminding us that the universe is
an amazing enough place without having to make crap up about
it..a
a Adam Savage, from Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters"
"These Doomsday scenarios are as gripping as any science fiction,
but-- amazingly--each one is grounded in carefully researched
science. Plait's message is simple: Eat, drink, and be merry, for
tomorrow--or five billion years from now--we die!"
- Simon LeVay, Ph.D., author of "When Science Goes Wrong: Twelve
Tales from the Dark Side of Discovery"
"Reading this book is like getting punched in the face by Carl
Sagan. Frightening, yet oddly exhilarating."
- Daniel H. Wilson, author of "How to Survive a Robot Uprising"
"These Doomsday scenarios are as gripping as any science fiction,
but--amazingly--each one is grounded in carefully researched
science. Plait's message is simple: Eat, drink, and be merry, for
tomorrow--or five billion years from now--we die!"
- Simon LeVay, Ph.D., author of "When Science Goes Wrong: Twelve
Tales from the Dark Side of Discovery"
"Reading this book is like getting punched in the face by Carl
Sagan. Frightening, yet oddly exhilarating."
- Daniel H. Wilson, author of "How to Survive a Robot Uprising"
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