Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is an awesome book for folks like me who want to know the subject but are way too intimidated by it. After a lifetime in software sales and consulting you don't have any many illusions left about your mental abilities. Over the years, more and more subjects seem to have progressed to "above my grade level" line. It takes that much extra work to make up for the loss. So it took some courage for me to get started on this book and I am glad that I did.
Such a breath of fresh air the way Tyson explains things that are unbelievably complex. He makes you believe that if you stick with him, you might actually come away with some simplistic understanding. Reading a book like this for a person like me is like reconnecting to that rush of learning how to read as a child - I don't remember how that felt for me but have observed many kids achieve that milestone so I think I can relate.
The book also reminded me of that time many years ago, I thought I saw Tyson waiting for his flight like like regular folk by the gate. He was immersed in a book he was reading. Like me a few others were looking in his direction curiously, likely thinking what I was thinking "Could this be Neil deGrasse Tyson". None of us were able to summon the courage to walk up to the man and ask for his autograph - I don't suppose other options would apply.
We stood around and before we knew it he had boarded his plane. I remember asking the woman standing near me if she thought it was him and she replied "Certainly did look like him". I guess none of us could believe that a person of his stature would be sitting by the gate reading a book - maybe that was his best cover and crowd avoidance technique. There are any number of people who think he is cool but that could turn into a tiresome fan-base if they did not take the time to become culturally conversant in his area of expertise. I am trying to that now.
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