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dianacarmel's review
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This is such a fascinating topic covered in language made for the layperson.
montyskid's review
4.0
I waffled between a 3.5 and a 4 star for this book. I listened to the audiobook and I think there was a bit of disconnect for me. If I wasn't paying attention, I would loose what was happening BUT Neil deGrasse Tyson reads it and that kinda makes it worth it. I should have listened while I read. I do plan to revisit this when I have the time to do that.
I am glad he included the history of the relationship between war and science.
He is definitely critical of the current administration and their policy on science and space (which I don't disagree on).
I do think there were things added in to the narrative that didn't need to be there.
I am glad he included the history of the relationship between war and science.
He is definitely critical of the current administration and their policy on science and space (which I don't disagree on).
I do think there were things added in to the narrative that didn't need to be there.
snowcrash's review
3.0
My dad gave me his copy of the book, as he knows I love military history and space. I also like the author, as I do Carl Sagan, as both educators bring the seemingly complex world of astrophysics down to a level that is fun for all.
Some of the book I liked, as it filled in gaps in what I knew about space satellites, especially the KH series. I did love the history of optics and other areas that lead up to the modern world. How each improvement by scientists allowed further exploration of the heavens while creating tactical advantages on the ground. The fight over longitude's solution is a great illustration of when people in power won't back down and insist their way, even after shown to be wrong, to be used. This is the theme for a lot of crappy decisions throughout human history.
Parts of the book veered into anti-war, anti-nuclear weapons preaching. It isn't that the authors make a point about the tension between science and the military. This is the premise of the book and an intriguing area of introspection of the world of science. There are whole sections devoted to anti-war, such that I skimmed through them. It is the same point over and over again, which drags on the narrative. Once the authors return to history, then the book returned to being interesting.
The best parts of the book are when the authors are describing the dual use of technology. The military has the money, so the astrophysicists build them the tools so they can use them for their own scientific pursuits. This is the nature of things until the military's funding is reduced and the science community gets it directly instead. The best way to realize some of the anti-war messaging is to drive towards that, even a 10% reduction in defense spending would create a many multiple increase in pure science that would benefit all of humankind.
Some of the book I liked, as it filled in gaps in what I knew about space satellites, especially the KH series. I did love the history of optics and other areas that lead up to the modern world. How each improvement by scientists allowed further exploration of the heavens while creating tactical advantages on the ground. The fight over longitude's solution is a great illustration of when people in power won't back down and insist their way, even after shown to be wrong, to be used. This is the theme for a lot of crappy decisions throughout human history.
Parts of the book veered into anti-war, anti-nuclear weapons preaching. It isn't that the authors make a point about the tension between science and the military. This is the premise of the book and an intriguing area of introspection of the world of science. There are whole sections devoted to anti-war, such that I skimmed through them. It is the same point over and over again, which drags on the narrative. Once the authors return to history, then the book returned to being interesting.
The best parts of the book are when the authors are describing the dual use of technology. The military has the money, so the astrophysicists build them the tools so they can use them for their own scientific pursuits. This is the nature of things until the military's funding is reduced and the science community gets it directly instead. The best way to realize some of the anti-war messaging is to drive towards that, even a 10% reduction in defense spending would create a many multiple increase in pure science that would benefit all of humankind.
pbokelly's review
3.0
A couple reviews to consider:
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/17/648697495/accessory-to-war-an-uncomfortable-wake-up-call-for-some
https://www.fastcompany.com/90230203/neil-degrasse-tyson-accessory-to-war-interview
https://www.npr.org/2018/09/17/648697495/accessory-to-war-an-uncomfortable-wake-up-call-for-some
https://www.fastcompany.com/90230203/neil-degrasse-tyson-accessory-to-war-interview
faresa's review
4.0
Quite an interesting book. Starts off with a little too much depth into the history of the horoscopes in chapter 2, which I thought was unwarranted. But then is superbly written all the way until the end. I really enjoyed it. Very eye opening.