The Astronomy Book
Big Ideas Simply Explained
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $20.25
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Thomas Judd
-
By:
-
DK
About this listen
An essential guide to milestone developments in astronomy, telling the story of our ideas about space, time, and the physics of the cosmos - from ancient times to the present day.
From planets and stars to black holes and the big bang, take a journey through the wonders of the universe. Featuring topics from the Copernican Revolution to the mind-boggling theories of recent science, The Astronomy Book helps clarify hard-to-grasp concepts and explains almost 100 big astronomical ideas. Covering the biographies of key astronomers through the ages such as Ptolemy, Galileo, Newton, Hubble, and Hawking, The Astronomy Book details their theories and discoveries in a user-friendly format to make the information accessible and easy to follow.
Series overview: The Big Ideas Simply Explained series uses straightforward and engaging writing to make complex subjects easier to understand. With more than seven million copies worldwide sold to date, these award-winning books provide just the information needed for students, families, or anyone interested in concise, thought-provoking refreshers on a single subject.
©2017 Dorling Kindersley Ltd (P)2020 DK AudioListeners also enjoyed...
-
The Crime Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained
- By: DK, Peter James
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Jack the Ripper to the modern-day drug cartels, discover the most notorious crimes and criminals in history. With a foreword written and narrated by best-selling crime author Peter James, The Crime Book explores over 100 crimes and examines the science, psychology and sociology of criminal behavior. Hear the gory details of each crime and how they were solved, with renowned quotes and detailed criminal profiles letting you delve into the criminal mind.
-
-
It covers a huge span of time. But what is covered is shallow rather than in depth.
- By DJ on 12-06-23
By: DK, and others
-
The Law Book
- Big Ideas
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Jasper Britton
- Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the philosophical, religious, and moral codes of the world's earliest societies, such as the Law Code of Hammurabi and the Ten Commandments, through groundbreaking legislation such as The Book of Punishments, Magna Carta, and the Slavery Abolition Act, The Law Book offers an engaging and accessible overview of legal history across the world all the way into the 21st century, with copyright in the digital age, gay marriage, and the "right to be forgotten".
By: DK
-
The Medicine Book
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook explores big questions like these, explaining the breakthroughs and discoveries that have shaped our modern-day understanding of medicine and helped us protect and promote our health. Written in plain English, The Medicine Book cuts through the jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in medical history to untangle knotty concepts.
-
-
super diverse topics
- By Matthew M. on 04-04-24
By: DK
-
The Biology Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An accessible guide to more than 95 of the most important discoveries and theories in the history of biology. Why do bees know how to dance? Where do plants get sugar? How do animals know their mothers? Who discovered germs?
By: DK
-
13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Alex Wingfield
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Learn something about everything with 13 mind-blowing facts plus a little myth-buster about every topic under (and including) the sun! Everyday objects from cars and skeletons to pianos and chocolate take young listeners on an incredible factual adventure.
By: DK
-
The Black History Book
- By: DK, David Olusoga - contributor
- Narrated by: Dede Davi
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the rich and complex history of the peoples of Africa, and the struggles and triumphs of Black cultures and communities around the world. With profiles of key people, movements, and events, The Black History Book brings together accounts of the most significant ideas and milestones in Black history and culture. This vital and thought-provoking audiobook presents a bold and accessible overview of the history of the African continent and its peoples - from the earliest human migrations to modern Black communities and the African diaspora.
-
-
It goes as far back as historical records allow to the present.
- By DJ on 01-06-24
By: DK, and others
-
The Crime Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained
- By: DK, Peter James
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Jack the Ripper to the modern-day drug cartels, discover the most notorious crimes and criminals in history. With a foreword written and narrated by best-selling crime author Peter James, The Crime Book explores over 100 crimes and examines the science, psychology and sociology of criminal behavior. Hear the gory details of each crime and how they were solved, with renowned quotes and detailed criminal profiles letting you delve into the criminal mind.
-
-
It covers a huge span of time. But what is covered is shallow rather than in depth.
- By DJ on 12-06-23
By: DK, and others
-
The Law Book
- Big Ideas
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Jasper Britton
- Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the philosophical, religious, and moral codes of the world's earliest societies, such as the Law Code of Hammurabi and the Ten Commandments, through groundbreaking legislation such as The Book of Punishments, Magna Carta, and the Slavery Abolition Act, The Law Book offers an engaging and accessible overview of legal history across the world all the way into the 21st century, with copyright in the digital age, gay marriage, and the "right to be forgotten".
By: DK
-
The Medicine Book
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook explores big questions like these, explaining the breakthroughs and discoveries that have shaped our modern-day understanding of medicine and helped us protect and promote our health. Written in plain English, The Medicine Book cuts through the jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in medical history to untangle knotty concepts.
-
-
super diverse topics
- By Matthew M. on 04-04-24
By: DK
-
The Biology Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An accessible guide to more than 95 of the most important discoveries and theories in the history of biology. Why do bees know how to dance? Where do plants get sugar? How do animals know their mothers? Who discovered germs?
By: DK
-
13 1/2 Incredible Things You Need to Know About Everything
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Alex Wingfield
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Learn something about everything with 13 mind-blowing facts plus a little myth-buster about every topic under (and including) the sun! Everyday objects from cars and skeletons to pianos and chocolate take young listeners on an incredible factual adventure.
By: DK
-
The Black History Book
- By: DK, David Olusoga - contributor
- Narrated by: Dede Davi
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the rich and complex history of the peoples of Africa, and the struggles and triumphs of Black cultures and communities around the world. With profiles of key people, movements, and events, The Black History Book brings together accounts of the most significant ideas and milestones in Black history and culture. This vital and thought-provoking audiobook presents a bold and accessible overview of the history of the African continent and its peoples - from the earliest human migrations to modern Black communities and the African diaspora.
-
-
It goes as far back as historical records allow to the present.
- By DJ on 01-06-24
By: DK, and others
-
A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Susie Riddell
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult charts the extraordinary narrative of one of the most interesting and often controversial subjects in the world - from ancient animal worship and shamanism, through alchemy and divination to modern Wicca and the resurgence of the occult in 21st-century literature, cinema, and television.
-
-
Decent Primer on Magical Traditions
- By Albert Williams on 04-28-21
By: DK
-
Success: The Psychology of Achievement
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Success: The Psychology of Achievement is a dynamic audio guide that equips you with the tools you need to drive yourself toward success, whether you are seeking improvement in your career, relationships, or in your overall performance.
-
-
Great information
- By DJ on 02-14-19
By: DK
-
Gravity's Century
- From Einstein's Eclipse to Images of Black Holes
- By: Ron Cowen
- Narrated by: John Patrick Walsh
- Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A sweeping account of the century of experimentation that confirmed Einstein's general theory of relativity, bringing to life the science and scientists at the origins of relativity, the development of radio telescopes, the discovery of black holes and quasars, and the still unresolved place of gravity in quantum theory.
-
-
Good stuff
- By Amazon Customer on 10-30-20
By: Ron Cowen
-
Remarkable Diaries
- The World's Greatest Diaries, Notebooks, and Letters Explored and Explained
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Dugald Bruce Lockhart
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Remarkable Diaries traces the history of the diary in all its forms, from ancient times to the present day. It brings together historical and literary diaries, artists' sketchbooks, explorers' journals, and scientists' notebooks. Discover what is was life to build a pyramid, sail the seas with Magellan, travel into the heart of Africa, or serve on the Western Front. Find out how writers and artists planned their masterpieces and how scientists developed their groundbreaking theories.
By: DK
-
Cosmos
- A Personal Voyage
- 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.
-
-
Over-acting voice actors
- By John on 11-09-17
By: Carl Sagan
-
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
- 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.
-
-
Disappointing - not much physics
- By Rob Hahn on 07-15-17
-
Astronomy for Dummies (5th Edition)
- By: Stephen P. Maran PhD, Richard Tresch Fienberg PhD
- Narrated by: Joel Richards
- Length: 15 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What's going on in the sky? Astronomy For Dummies takes you through the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and all the way to the outer reaches of the universe. You'll have stars in your eyes as you discover the basics of skywatching, planets, asteroids, black holes, and dark matter. Ponder the deep questions that keep humanity guessing, like, is there anybody out there? Two NASA-award-winning astronomers take you on a tour of outer space that will fascinate you—and, if you're a student, help you through your intro astronomy course.
-
-
Easy explaind and very detailed information
- By Mike on 11-21-24
By: Stephen P. Maran PhD, and others
-
The Secret World of Stargazing
- Find Solace in the Stars
- By: Adrian West
- Narrated by: Adrian West
- Length: 3 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Adrian West, a.k.a. the internet sensation VirtualAstro, will take you through the seasons, showing you exactly what you can spot in the sky throughout the year, whether you're in your back garden or sitting on an exotic beach somewhere! While you're learning how to spot constellations, meteors and comets, you will be switching off your busy mind, sitting still in nature and paying attention to the small details that make up the big picture of life.
By: Adrian West
-
Welcome to the Universe
- An Astrophysical Tour
- 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.
-
-
All About What We Know About the Universe - ALL
- By J.B. on 02-17-17
By: Michael A. Strauss, and others
-
College Level Astronomy
- By: AudioLearn Content Team
- Narrated by: Kari Loya
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Developed by experienced professors and professionally narrated for easy listening, this course is a great way to explore the subject of Astronomy. The audio is focused and high-yield, covering the most important topics you might expect to learn in a typical undergraduate course in Astronomy. The material is accurate, up-to-date, and broken down into bite-sized chapters. There are quizzes and key takeaways following each chapter to review questions commonly tested and drive home key points.
-
Death by Black Hole
- And Other Cosmic Quandaries
- By: Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Narrated by: Dion Graham
- Length: 12 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Neil deGrasse Tyson has a talent for guiding readers through the mysteries of outer space with stunning clarity and almost childlike enthusiasm. This collection of his essays from Natural History magazine explores a myriad of cosmic topics. Tyson introduces us to the physics of black holes by explaining what would happen to our bodies if we fell into one; he also examines the needless friction between science and religion, and notes Earth's status as "an insignificantly small speck in the cosmos".
-
-
Well worth the time
- By Sarda on 04-19-07
-
The God Equation
- The Quest for a Theory of Everything
- 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?
-
-
Not what you may think
- By Anne85 on 04-11-21
By: Michio Kaku
Critic reviews
"[The Big Ideas Simply Explained books] are beautifully illustrated with shadow-like cartoons that break down even the most difficult concepts so they are easier to grasp. These step-by-step diagrams are an incredibly clever learning device to include, especially for visual learners." (Examiner.com)
"The visual layout promotes browsing with illustrations, pull quotes, and simple mind maps to explain concepts quickly." (Library Journal)
"Accessible guide to the great thinkers." (School Library Journal)
Related to this topic
-
A Brief Welcome to the Universe
- A Pocket-Sized Tour
- By: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, J. Richard Gott
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Brief Welcome to the Universe offers a breathtaking tour of the cosmos, from planets, stars, and galaxies to black holes and time loops. Best-selling authors and acclaimed astrophysicists Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott take listeners on an unforgettable journey of exploration to reveal how our universe actually works. Propelling you from our home solar system to the outermost frontiers of space, this book builds your cosmic insight and perspective through a marvelously entertaining narrative.
-
-
A brief welcome for everyone
- By Ashley F on 08-24-24
By: Neil deGrasse Tyson, and others
-
The Cosmic Cocktail
- Three Parts Dark Matter
- By: Katherine Freese
- Narrated by: Tamara Marston
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The ordinary atoms that make up the known universe - from our bodies and the air we breathe to the planets and stars - constitute only 5 percent of all matter and energy in the cosmos. The rest is known as dark matter and dark energy, because their precise identities are unknown. The Cosmic Cocktail is the inside story of the epic quest to solve one of the most compelling enigmas of modern science - what is the universe made of? - told by one of today’s foremost pioneers in the study of dark matter.
-
-
I was looking for a book about science....
- By Jeff on 03-27-15
By: Katherine Freese
-
Calculating the Cosmos
- How Mathematics Unveils the Universe
- By: Ian Stewart
- Narrated by: Dana Hickox
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Calculating the Cosmos, Ian Stewart presents an exhilarating guide to the cosmos, from our solar system to the entire universe. He describes the architecture of space and time, dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies form, why stars implode, how everything began, and how it's all going to end. He considers parallel universes, the fine-tuning of the cosmos for life, what forms extraterrestrial life might take, and the likelihood of life on Earth being snuffed out by an asteroid.
-
-
Crank alert: rejects modern cosmology
- By James Weisner on 03-20-17
By: Ian Stewart
-
The Unknown Universe
- A New Exploration of Time, Space and Cosmology
- By: Stuart Clark
- Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
- Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On March 21, 2013, the European Space Agency released a map of the afterglow of the big bang. Taking in 440 sextillion kilometers of space and 13.8 billion years of time, it is physically impossible to make a better map: We will never see the early universe in more detail. On the one hand, such a view is the apotheosis of modern cosmology; on the other, it threatens to undermine almost everything we hold cosmologically sacrosanct.
-
-
Everything, Absolutely Everything!
- By Gillian on 03-09-17
By: Stuart Clark
-
The Theory of Everything
- The Origin and Fate of the Universe
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: Michael York
- Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In physicist Stephen Hawking's brilliant opus, A Brief History of Time, he presented us with a bold new look at our universe, how it began, and how our old views of physics and tired theories about the creation of the universe were no longer relevant. In other words, Hawking gave us a new look at our world, our universe, and ourselves. Now, Hawking presents an even more comprehensive look at our universe, its creation, and how we see ourselves within it.
-
-
Shares a lot of text with a Brief History of Time.
- By Roc Myers on 01-07-15
By: Stephen Hawking
-
Genesis
- The Story of How Everything Began
- By: Guido Tonelli, Erica Segre - translator, Simon Carnell - translator
- Narrated by: Damian Lynch
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A breakout best seller in Italy, now available for American listeners for the first time, Genesis: The Story of How Everything Began is a short, humanistic tour of the origins of the universe, earth, and life - drawing on the latest discoveries in physics to explain the seven most significant moments in the creation of the cosmos.
-
-
This is soooo boring to listen to
- By A. Galer on 02-27-23
By: Guido Tonelli, and others
-
A Brief Welcome to the Universe
- A Pocket-Sized Tour
- By: Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, J. Richard Gott
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Brief Welcome to the Universe offers a breathtaking tour of the cosmos, from planets, stars, and galaxies to black holes and time loops. Best-selling authors and acclaimed astrophysicists Neil deGrasse Tyson, Michael A. Strauss, and J. Richard Gott take listeners on an unforgettable journey of exploration to reveal how our universe actually works. Propelling you from our home solar system to the outermost frontiers of space, this book builds your cosmic insight and perspective through a marvelously entertaining narrative.
-
-
A brief welcome for everyone
- By Ashley F on 08-24-24
By: Neil deGrasse Tyson, and others
-
The Cosmic Cocktail
- Three Parts Dark Matter
- By: Katherine Freese
- Narrated by: Tamara Marston
- Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The ordinary atoms that make up the known universe - from our bodies and the air we breathe to the planets and stars - constitute only 5 percent of all matter and energy in the cosmos. The rest is known as dark matter and dark energy, because their precise identities are unknown. The Cosmic Cocktail is the inside story of the epic quest to solve one of the most compelling enigmas of modern science - what is the universe made of? - told by one of today’s foremost pioneers in the study of dark matter.
-
-
I was looking for a book about science....
- By Jeff on 03-27-15
By: Katherine Freese
-
Calculating the Cosmos
- How Mathematics Unveils the Universe
- By: Ian Stewart
- Narrated by: Dana Hickox
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Calculating the Cosmos, Ian Stewart presents an exhilarating guide to the cosmos, from our solar system to the entire universe. He describes the architecture of space and time, dark matter and dark energy, how galaxies form, why stars implode, how everything began, and how it's all going to end. He considers parallel universes, the fine-tuning of the cosmos for life, what forms extraterrestrial life might take, and the likelihood of life on Earth being snuffed out by an asteroid.
-
-
Crank alert: rejects modern cosmology
- By James Weisner on 03-20-17
By: Ian Stewart
-
The Unknown Universe
- A New Exploration of Time, Space and Cosmology
- By: Stuart Clark
- Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
- Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On March 21, 2013, the European Space Agency released a map of the afterglow of the big bang. Taking in 440 sextillion kilometers of space and 13.8 billion years of time, it is physically impossible to make a better map: We will never see the early universe in more detail. On the one hand, such a view is the apotheosis of modern cosmology; on the other, it threatens to undermine almost everything we hold cosmologically sacrosanct.
-
-
Everything, Absolutely Everything!
- By Gillian on 03-09-17
By: Stuart Clark
-
The Theory of Everything
- The Origin and Fate of the Universe
- By: Stephen Hawking
- Narrated by: Michael York
- Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In physicist Stephen Hawking's brilliant opus, A Brief History of Time, he presented us with a bold new look at our universe, how it began, and how our old views of physics and tired theories about the creation of the universe were no longer relevant. In other words, Hawking gave us a new look at our world, our universe, and ourselves. Now, Hawking presents an even more comprehensive look at our universe, its creation, and how we see ourselves within it.
-
-
Shares a lot of text with a Brief History of Time.
- By Roc Myers on 01-07-15
By: Stephen Hawking
-
Genesis
- The Story of How Everything Began
- By: Guido Tonelli, Erica Segre - translator, Simon Carnell - translator
- Narrated by: Damian Lynch
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A breakout best seller in Italy, now available for American listeners for the first time, Genesis: The Story of How Everything Began is a short, humanistic tour of the origins of the universe, earth, and life - drawing on the latest discoveries in physics to explain the seven most significant moments in the creation of the cosmos.
-
-
This is soooo boring to listen to
- By A. Galer on 02-27-23
By: Guido Tonelli, and others
-
Forces of Nature
- By: Professor Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen
- Narrated by: Samuel West
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Professor Brian Cox uncovers some of the most extraordinary natural events on Earth and in the universe and beyond. From the immensity of the universe and the roundness of Earth to the form of every single snowflake, the forces of nature shape everything we see. Pushed to extremes, the results are astonishing. In seeking to understand the everyday world, the colours, structure, behaviour and history of our home, we develop the knowledge and techniques necessary to step beyond the everyday.
-
-
Complicated in its simplicity
- By Philomath on 06-13-17
By: Professor Brian Cox, and others
-
Coming of Age in the Milky Way
- By: Timothy Ferris
- Narrated by: Timothy Ferris
- Length: 2 hrs and 44 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Humans have long sought to comprehend the enormities of cosmic space and time. Here, best selling science writer Timothy Ferris tells the story of that quest. He interweaves the majestic themes of astronomy, physics, religion, and philosophy with fresh and lasting portraits of the men and women who created what has been called our society's most precious treasure - its conception of the universe at large.
-
-
Brief survey of discovery from Columbus to now
- By serine on 01-23-16
By: Timothy Ferris
-
When the Earth Had Two Moons
- Cannibal Planets, Icy Giants, Dirty Comets, Dreadful Orbits, and the Origins of the Night Sky
- By: Erik Asphaug
- Narrated by: Adam Verner
- Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1959, the Soviet probe Luna 3 took the first photos of the far side of the Moon. Even in their poor resolution, the images stunned scientists: The far side is an enormous mountainous expanse, not the vast lava plains seen from Earth. Subsequent missions have confirmed this in much greater detail. How could this be, and what might it tell us about our own place in the universe? As it turns out, quite a lot. When the Earth Had Two Moons is an astonishing exploration of planet formation and the origins of life by one of the world’s most innovative planetary geologists.
-
-
Poorly written, poorly narrated
- By RickyF on 05-11-23
By: Erik Asphaug
-
The Physics of Star Trek
- By: Lawrence M. Krauss
- Narrated by: Larry McKeever
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What actually happens when the words, "beam me up, Scottie" are uttered? What "warps" when something travels at warp speed? Internationally renowned theoretical physicist and educator Lawrence M. Krauss provides matter-of-fact scientific explanations of the physics of Star Trek in this highly creative and informative guide for both the devoted Trekkie and the physics novice.
-
-
Interesting Book. Quite Technical
- By Christopher B. on 12-07-04
-
The Planets
- 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.
-
-
baroque and flowery verbiage
- By Chris on 01-14-20
By: Professor Brian Cox, and others
-
The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics
- A Math-Free Exploration of the Science That Made Our World
- By: James Kakalios
- Narrated by: Peter Berkrot
- Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In The Amazing Story of Quantum Mechanics, James Kakalios uses examples from comics and magazines to explain how breakthroughs in quantum mechanics led to such technologies as the World Wide Web, pocket-sized computers, mobile phones, and MRI machines.....
-
-
The exhibits are missing from Audible
- By David on 12-13-10
By: James Kakalios
-
The World According to Physics
- By: Jim Al-Khalili
- Narrated by: Jim Al-Khalili
- Length: 6 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Shining a light on the most profound insights revealed by modern physics, Jim Al-Khalili invites us all to understand what this crucially important science tells us about the universe and the nature of reality itself. Al-Khalili begins by introducing the fundamental concepts of space, time, energy, and matter, and then describes the three pillars of modern physics - quantum theory, relativity, and thermodynamics - showing how all three must come together if we are ever to have a full understanding of reality.
-
-
excellent book
- By Anonymous User on 05-10-21
By: Jim Al-Khalili
-
The Island of Knowledge
- The Limits of Science and the Search for Meaning
- By: Marcelo Gleiser
- Narrated by: William Neenan
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How much can we know about the world? In this audiobook physicist Marcelo Gleiser traces our search for answers to the most fundamental questions of existence, the origin of the universe, the nature of reality, and the limits of knowledge. In so doing he reaches a provocative conclusion: Science, like religion, is fundamentally limited as a tool for understanding the world. As science and its philosophical interpretations advance, we face the unsettling recognition of how much we don't know.
-
-
Island of knowledge
- By Joshua Kring on 07-26-15
By: Marcelo Gleiser
-
Origins
- The Scientific Story of Creation
- By: Jim Baggott
- Narrated by: Neil Scott-Barbour
- Length: 16 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What is the nature of the material world? How does it work? What is the universe and how was it formed? What is life? Where do we come from and how did we evolve? How and why do we think? What does it mean to be human? How do we know? There are many different versions of our creation story. This book tells the version according to modern science. It is a unique account, starting at the Big Bang and travelling right up to the emergence of humans as conscious intelligent beings, 13.8 billion years later.
-
-
Interesting book, but WOW, the narrator ...
- By UH on 01-10-17
By: Jim Baggott
-
Exoplanets
- Diamond Worlds, Super Earths, Pulsar Planets, and the New Search for Life Beyond Our Solar System
- By: Michael Summers
- Narrated by: Jon Bennett
- Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since its 2009 launch, the Kepler satellite has discovered more than 2,000 exoplanets, or planets outside our solar system. More exoplanets are being discovered all the time, remarkable in their variety. Astronomer Michael Summers and physicist James Trefil explore these remarkable recent discoveries: planets revolving around pulsars, planets made of diamond, planets that are mostly water, and numerous rogue planets wandering through the emptiness of space.
-
-
FINALLY, an Attention-Grabbing Planet Book!
- By aaron on 05-11-17
By: Michael Summers
-
About Time
- Cosmology, Time and Culture at the Twilight of the Big Bang
- By: Adam Frank
- Narrated by: David Drummond
- Length: 13 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Big Bang is all but dead, and we do not yet know what will replace it. Our universe's "beginning" is at an end. What does this have to do with us here on Earth? Our lives are about to be dramatically shaken again - as altered as they were with the invention of the clock, the steam engine, the railroad, the radio and the Internet.
-
-
More fluff than science
- By Ivan the Reviewer on 04-15-13
By: Adam Frank
-
The Universe in the Rearview Mirror
- How Hidden Symmetries Shape Reality
- By: Dave Goldberg
- Narrated by: Chris Sorensen
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A physicist speeds across space, time, and everything in between showing that our elegant universe from the Higgs boson to antimatter to the most massive group of galaxies is shaped by hidden symmetries that have driven all our recent discoveries about the universe and all the ones to come. Why is the sky dark at night? Is it possible to build a shrink-ray gun? If there is antimatter, can there be antipeople? Why are past, present, and future our only options? Are time and space like a butterfly's wings? No one but Dave Goldberg, the coolest nerd physicist on the planet, could give a hyper-drive tour of the universe like this one.
-
-
Good, but for whom?
- By Michael on 08-31-13
By: Dave Goldberg
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
The Crime Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained
- By: DK, Peter James
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Jack the Ripper to the modern-day drug cartels, discover the most notorious crimes and criminals in history. With a foreword written and narrated by best-selling crime author Peter James, The Crime Book explores over 100 crimes and examines the science, psychology and sociology of criminal behavior. Hear the gory details of each crime and how they were solved, with renowned quotes and detailed criminal profiles letting you delve into the criminal mind.
-
-
It covers a huge span of time. But what is covered is shallow rather than in depth.
- By DJ on 12-06-23
By: DK, and others
-
The Medicine Book
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook explores big questions like these, explaining the breakthroughs and discoveries that have shaped our modern-day understanding of medicine and helped us protect and promote our health. Written in plain English, The Medicine Book cuts through the jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in medical history to untangle knotty concepts.
-
-
super diverse topics
- By Matthew M. on 04-04-24
By: DK
-
The Law Book
- Big Ideas
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Jasper Britton
- Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the philosophical, religious, and moral codes of the world's earliest societies, such as the Law Code of Hammurabi and the Ten Commandments, through groundbreaking legislation such as The Book of Punishments, Magna Carta, and the Slavery Abolition Act, The Law Book offers an engaging and accessible overview of legal history across the world all the way into the 21st century, with copyright in the digital age, gay marriage, and the "right to be forgotten".
By: DK
-
Astronomy for Dummies (5th Edition)
- By: Stephen P. Maran PhD, Richard Tresch Fienberg PhD
- Narrated by: Joel Richards
- Length: 15 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What's going on in the sky? Astronomy For Dummies takes you through the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and all the way to the outer reaches of the universe. You'll have stars in your eyes as you discover the basics of skywatching, planets, asteroids, black holes, and dark matter. Ponder the deep questions that keep humanity guessing, like, is there anybody out there? Two NASA-award-winning astronomers take you on a tour of outer space that will fascinate you—and, if you're a student, help you through your intro astronomy course.
-
-
Easy explaind and very detailed information
- By Mike on 11-21-24
By: Stephen P. Maran PhD, and others
-
The Biology Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An accessible guide to more than 95 of the most important discoveries and theories in the history of biology. Why do bees know how to dance? Where do plants get sugar? How do animals know their mothers? Who discovered germs?
By: DK
-
The World War I Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained (DK Big Ideas)
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the key battles, tactics, technologies and turning points of the First World War—the epic conflict that was supposed to be "the war to end all wars". With authoritative, exciting text, The World War I Book explores the historical background to the war, its causes, all of key events across the major theatres of conflict, and its aftermath.
By: DK
-
The Crime Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained
- By: DK, Peter James
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From Jack the Ripper to the modern-day drug cartels, discover the most notorious crimes and criminals in history. With a foreword written and narrated by best-selling crime author Peter James, The Crime Book explores over 100 crimes and examines the science, psychology and sociology of criminal behavior. Hear the gory details of each crime and how they were solved, with renowned quotes and detailed criminal profiles letting you delve into the criminal mind.
-
-
It covers a huge span of time. But what is covered is shallow rather than in depth.
- By DJ on 12-06-23
By: DK, and others
-
The Medicine Book
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver
- Length: 16 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This audiobook explores big questions like these, explaining the breakthroughs and discoveries that have shaped our modern-day understanding of medicine and helped us protect and promote our health. Written in plain English, The Medicine Book cuts through the jargon and is packed with pithy explanations of the most important milestones in medical history to untangle knotty concepts.
-
-
super diverse topics
- By Matthew M. on 04-04-24
By: DK
-
The Law Book
- Big Ideas
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Jasper Britton
- Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From the philosophical, religious, and moral codes of the world's earliest societies, such as the Law Code of Hammurabi and the Ten Commandments, through groundbreaking legislation such as The Book of Punishments, Magna Carta, and the Slavery Abolition Act, The Law Book offers an engaging and accessible overview of legal history across the world all the way into the 21st century, with copyright in the digital age, gay marriage, and the "right to be forgotten".
By: DK
-
Astronomy for Dummies (5th Edition)
- By: Stephen P. Maran PhD, Richard Tresch Fienberg PhD
- Narrated by: Joel Richards
- Length: 15 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What's going on in the sky? Astronomy For Dummies takes you through the solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and all the way to the outer reaches of the universe. You'll have stars in your eyes as you discover the basics of skywatching, planets, asteroids, black holes, and dark matter. Ponder the deep questions that keep humanity guessing, like, is there anybody out there? Two NASA-award-winning astronomers take you on a tour of outer space that will fascinate you—and, if you're a student, help you through your intro astronomy course.
-
-
Easy explaind and very detailed information
- By Mike on 11-21-24
By: Stephen P. Maran PhD, and others
-
The Biology Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 13 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An accessible guide to more than 95 of the most important discoveries and theories in the history of biology. Why do bees know how to dance? Where do plants get sugar? How do animals know their mothers? Who discovered germs?
By: DK
-
The World War I Book
- Big Ideas Simply Explained (DK Big Ideas)
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 14 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the key battles, tactics, technologies and turning points of the First World War—the epic conflict that was supposed to be "the war to end all wars". With authoritative, exciting text, The World War I Book explores the historical background to the war, its causes, all of key events across the major theatres of conflict, and its aftermath.
By: DK
-
Remarkable Diaries
- The World's Greatest Diaries, Notebooks, and Letters Explored and Explained
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Dugald Bruce Lockhart
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Remarkable Diaries traces the history of the diary in all its forms, from ancient times to the present day. It brings together historical and literary diaries, artists' sketchbooks, explorers' journals, and scientists' notebooks. Discover what is was life to build a pyramid, sail the seas with Magellan, travel into the heart of Africa, or serve on the Western Front. Find out how writers and artists planned their masterpieces and how scientists developed their groundbreaking theories.
By: DK
-
Scientists Who Changed History
- Great Lives
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Explore the stories of more than 85 of the world's most inspirational and influential scientists with this innovative and bold book of biographies. From mathematicians to meteorologists, geologists to geneticists, each scientist is presented through a combination of stimulating words. Combining elements of biography, history, and analysis, Scientists Who Changed History explains the groundbreaking contributions made by these revolutionary men and women in a clear and informative way.
By: DK
-
A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Susie Riddell
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult charts the extraordinary narrative of one of the most interesting and often controversial subjects in the world - from ancient animal worship and shamanism, through alchemy and divination to modern Wicca and the resurgence of the occult in 21st-century literature, cinema, and television.
-
-
Decent Primer on Magical Traditions
- By Albert Williams on 04-28-21
By: DK
-
Banned Books
- The World's Most Controversial Books, Past, and Present
- By: DK
- Narrated by: Charles Armstrong
- Length: 3 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Banned Books explores why some of the world's most important literary classics and seminal non-fiction titles were once deemed too controversial for the public—whether for challenging racial or sexual norms, satirizing public figures, or simply being deemed unfit for young audiences. From the banning of All Quiet on the Western Front and the repeated suppression of On the Origin of the Species, to the uproar provoked by Lady Chatterley's Lover, entries offer a fascinating chronological account of censorship.
-
-
Important topic
- By Nick on 04-16-24
By: DK
-
Stargazing
- Beginner’s guide to astronomy
- By: Royal Observatory Greenwich, Radmila Topalovic, Tom Kerss, and others
- Length: 3 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Astronomy expert Tom Kerss offers complete advice from the ground up, introducing the world of telescopes, planets, stars, dark skies and celestial maps, explaining the best ways to plan your stargazing experience and the key things to look out for on specific dates throughout the year.
-
-
Please view the accompanying PDF...
- By A. Toomey on 10-14-21
By: Royal Observatory Greenwich, and others
-
The Black History Book
- By: DK, David Olusoga - contributor
- Narrated by: Dede Davi
- Length: 13 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Discover the rich and complex history of the peoples of Africa, and the struggles and triumphs of Black cultures and communities around the world. With profiles of key people, movements, and events, The Black History Book brings together accounts of the most significant ideas and milestones in Black history and culture. This vital and thought-provoking audiobook presents a bold and accessible overview of the history of the African continent and its peoples - from the earliest human migrations to modern Black communities and the African diaspora.
-
-
It goes as far back as historical records allow to the present.
- By DJ on 01-06-24
By: DK, and others
What listeners say about The Astronomy Book
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- DJ
- 12-10-23
Great book
I likes that it was in chronological order. The first 2/3 are a bit of a bore but the final 1/3 is with the wait and makes the book worth the money or credit.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ed Pegg Jr
- 02-08-20
Not well suited to an audiobook.
While listening to the book I could imagine how the picture book was laid out.
1. Over here is a timeline of important dates and names for a topic ( orbits follow conic sections ).
2. Over here is important events for the topic. (Tycho Brahe makes measurements )
3. Over here is discussions about the people involved.
That works fine as a picture book ... but as an audiobook you'll hear the same name, event, and date mentioned over and over and over and over and over again. Since there isn't a matching book to go along with this, they should have streamlined this more to eliminate the repetition. Also, since there isn't a "click to go to other section" option, the start of each chapter starting with a two minute list of related sections is just terrible.
It's easy to see the intentions for a different book filled with interactivity and the ability to click on a picture or date and to hear the story.
But it ends up sounding like a single page with 100 sound clips and a dump of those soundclips in an arbitrary order ... and then onto the next page where 20 of the sound clips get repeated.. over and over again.
However... bad choices and massive repetition aside, the content is fairly good.
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
- Bobby Dracon
- 07-13-23
Awesome and Comprehensive History of the Cosmos
"The Astronomy Book - Big Ideas Explained" by DK, is a captivating and enlightening book that delves deep into the history of astronomy, unravelling the mysteries of the universe and showcasing the evolution of humanity's understanding of the cosmos. This comprehensive exploration takes readers on an enthralling voyage through time, tracing the milestones, discoveries, and paradigm shifts that have shaped the field of astronomy.
The book adopts a chronological approach, dividing the history of astronomy into distinct eras and highlighting the key figures and pivotal moments that propelled our understanding of the universe.
It begins with the ancient civilizations, where astronomy first emerged as a means to observe celestial phenomena and develop calendars. From the Babylonians and Egyptians to the Greeks, the author meticulously details their contributions to early astronomical knowledge, including the discovery of planetary movements and the birth of cosmology.
As the narrative progresses, the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution eras come to life, featuring luminaries like Copernicus, Galileo, and Kepler. The book masterfully explains their groundbreaking theories, such as heliocentrism and the laws of planetary motion, which sparked radical shifts in our perception of the universe. The interplay between scientific progress and societal factors is also explored, offering insight into the challenges these pioneers faced in challenging the prevailing beliefs of their time.
Advancing to the Enlightenment period, the author illuminates the works of Newton, who unified celestial mechanics and gravity, ushering in a new era of mathematical precision in astronomy. The subsequent chapters delve into the birth of spectroscopy, unveiling the discoveries of Fraunhofer, Kirchhoff, and Bunsen, and how their groundbreaking investigations revolutionized our understanding of the composition of celestial bodies.
The book then delves into the realm of 20th-century astronomy, where groundbreaking advancements occurred at an unprecedented pace. It covers the advent of telescopes, the work of Einstein and his theory of relativity, the discovery of cosmic expansion and the subsequent formulation of the Big Bang theory. The narrative also explores the contributions of prominent astronomers, such as Hubble, Chandrasekhar, and Penzias, whose work unraveled the mysteries of galaxies, black holes, and cosmic microwave background radiation.
In the final chapters, the book brings readers up to the present, covering recent advancements in space exploration, exoplanet discoveries, and the dawn of gravitational wave astronomy. The author artfully highlights the collective efforts of scientists and engineers from around the globe, showcasing the collaborative nature of modern astronomy and its ever-expanding frontiers.
Writing Style and Accessibility:
The author's prose is both elegant and accessible, effectively bridging the gap between expert knowledge and the general reader. Complex concepts are explained in a manner that is approachable, with analogies and examples that aid in comprehension. The narrative strikes a perfect balance between scientific rigor and engaging storytelling, making it an enjoyable read for both astronomy enthusiasts and newcomers to the subject.
Conclusion:
"The Astronomy Book - Big Ideas Explained" by DK, is an exemplary account of the history of astronomy, seamlessly blending scientific rigor, historical context, and captivating storytelling. It presents a compelling narrative of humanity's insatiable curiosity and relentless pursuit of knowledge about the universe. Whether you are a novice intrigued by the mysteries of the cosmos or a seasoned astronomer seeking a comprehensive review, this book is an indispensable resource that will leave you in awe of the wonders that lie beyond our world.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful