Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Preview

£0.00 for first 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Letters from an Astrophysicist

By: Neil deGrasse Tyson
Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson, full cast
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £12.99

Buy Now for £12.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Join the galactic conversation on the biggest issues in the universe


‘Don't fear change. Don't fear failure. The only thing to fear is loss of ambition. But if you've got plenty of that, then you have nothing to fear at all’ – Neil deGrasse Tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson is arguably the most influential, acclaimed scientist on the planet. As director of the Hayden Planetarium, and host of Cosmos and StarTalk, he has dedicated his life to exploring and explaining the mysteries of the universe.

Every year, he receives thousands of letters – from students to prisoners, scientists to priests. Some seek advice, others yearn for inspiration; some are full of despair, others burst with wonder. But they are all searching for understanding, meaning and truth.

His replies are by turns wise, funny, and mind-blowing. In this, his most personal book by far, he covers everything from God to the history of science, from aliens to death. He bares his soul – his passions, his doubts, his hopes. The big theme is everywhere in these pages: what is our place in the universe?

The result is an awe-inspiring read and an intimate portal into an incredible mind, which reveals the power of the universe to start conversations and inspire curiosity in all of us.

The full list of narrators includes Victor Bevine, Gabriel Vaughan, Lauren Fortgang, Neil Hellegers, Kevin Free, Vikas Adam, Nick Sullivan, Gabra Zackman, Allyson Johnson, Brandon Rubin, and Piper Goodeve.

©2019 Neil deGrasse Tyson (P)2019 Penguin Audio
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

The Search for Exoplanets: What Astronomers Know cover art
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry cover art
Cosmic Queries cover art
Space Chronicles cover art
Welcome to the Universe cover art
Accessory to War cover art
Origins, Revised and Updated cover art
Why Does E=MC2 and Why Should We Care cover art
Believing Is Seeing cover art
Cosmos cover art
Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? cover art
Pale Blue Dot cover art
Science Friction cover art
Think cover art
The Demon-Haunted World cover art
Books Do Furnish a Life cover art

What listeners say about Letters from an Astrophysicist

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    184
  • 4 Stars
    54
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    3
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    192
  • 4 Stars
    25
  • 3 Stars
    7
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    145
  • 4 Stars
    56
  • 3 Stars
    16
  • 2 Stars
    5
  • 1 Stars
    2

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Insightful.

To be honest I didn't know what to expect when i fist picked up this audiobook. But at the end of it I was glad that I did.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

True to character

As always Neil deGrasse Tyson does not disappoint. I really enjoyed all the letters and I especially enjoyed all the answers.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The Essence of Neil deGrasse Tyson

I've listened to several of Neil's books and watched many of his YouTube videos, so I was a fan before finding this audiobook. Even so, this one blew me away because, in reading a selection of his past letters and emails, Neil brings his personality, his humanity and his strong belief in education right to the front of the presentation.

My favourite "story" in this book is the one about the man who gave away his old telescope to a wide-eyed 12 year old girl. You should buy this just for that 1 minute of audio as far as I'm concerned.

Thank you Neil for everything you do for the world of science education. Your balanced, honest, forthright and well-informed approach is both original and powerful.

By now, it's obvious that I like this audiobook. So I'll just say - if you like Neil already, you have to listen to this one!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Funny, insightful and touching.

Loved this book. It was as funny and informative as Professor Tyson's best work giving the listener a glimpse into the makeup of the people of the world and a look behind the curtain into the core of Professor Tyson.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic

Once I started, it was hard to stop. Most of this book is as it sounds, letters to Dr Tyson and his reply to those letters. However to get a glimps into the burning questions others have for such a man is entertainingly eye opening. It may not be for everyone but I loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Out of This World.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. In saying that I would have loved some more stories between letters, narration was fantastic.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Neil Dee Grasse Tyson

Neil De Grasse Tyson is a living legend. Appreciate his knowledge and the eloquent way he shares it with the world.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful book that had me crying throughout.

This is incredible. Touching and informative. Written and read by one of the worlds most inspirational men.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Better if limited to one letter per day

As always, valuable information and precious experience from the great Scientist-in-Chief we love. However, some replies are too short, and more contextual footnotes would have been welcome.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Several hours of Neil being a boss

Doctor Tyson does his usual thing, where he expresses his calculated thoughts in order to vanquish ignorance and enlighten all those that have the privilege of listening to his masterful story telling and passion for educating people to become more scientifically literate.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!