About book Death From The Skies!: These Are The Ways The World Will End... (2008)
I always say, the nice thing about disaster books, whether fictional or non-, is that it makes surviving the day seem like a huge accomplishment. Philip Plait, @badastronomer on Twitter, has a great narrative knack and a skill for explaining complex subjects in comprehensible ways. This may not be a good thing, if you're nervous by nature. Though I suppose it's reassuring to know that my chances of getting hit by a meteor are somewhat lower than, say, my odds of getting eaten by sharks. Plait writes astronomy very well. It's hard to cover an entire field from the beginning of time until the end, but Plait moves it right along, addresses all the horrible things the universe could throw at us (with the odds!), and manages to teach me more about all of it then I've learned from a semester in college or other popular science books since. Yes, there's a definite formula: worst case scenario is described; then the science behind it; then perspective, and Plait is clear about what's really unlikely to ever be a problem.There's a lot of science here, but its presented in such a pleasant, charming, and natural voice (none of that awkward third-person passive voice in which papers are published) that you can't help but find the whole thing entertaining.
Do You like book Death From The Skies!: These Are The Ways The World Will End... (2008)?
Awesome. Informative. Loved it! Plus I now know about his fantastic blog, Bad Astronomy on Slate.com
—dylanbarnett
Enjoyable clearly explained journey through some of the most exciting things in space.
—MYKcm
Entertaining, a little disjointed, but Phil Plaitt writes great chapters! Loved it!!
—dejadee
