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Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military
Accessory to War: The Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military | Neil deGrasse Tyson, Avis Lang
19 posts | 11 read | 34 to read
An exploration of the age-old complicity between skywatchers and warfighters, from the best-selling author of Astrophysics for People in a Hurry. In this fascinating foray into the centuries-old relationship between science and military power, acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and writer-researcher Avis Lang examine how the methods and tools of astrophysics have been enlisted in the service of war. "The overlap is strong, and the knowledge flows in both directions," say the authors, because astrophysicists and military planners care about many of the same things: multi-spectral detection, ranging, tracking, imaging, high ground, nuclear fusion, and access to space. Tyson and Lang call it a "curiously complicit" alliance. "The universe is both the ultimate frontier and the highest of high grounds," they write. "Shared by both space scientists and space warriors, its a laboratory for one and a battlefield for the other. The explorer wants to understand it; the soldier wants to dominate it. But without the right technologywhich is more or less the same technology for both partiesnobody can get to it, operate in it, scrutinize it, dominate it, or use it to their advantage and someone elses disadvantage." Spanning early celestial navigation to satellite-enabled warfare, Accessory to War is a richly researched and provocative examination of the intersection of science, technology, industry, and power that will introduce Tysons millions of fans to yet another dimension of how the universe has shaped our lives and our world.
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midath75
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Pickpick

This one delves into the relationship between science and the military and was very interesting. I liked it a lot. For science and history buffs, like myself, I highly recommend.

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Eggs
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Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and writer Avis Lang explore how the methods and tools of astrophysics have been enlisted in the service of war.
#accessory #aboutaugust

70 likes1 stack add
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Tkgbjenn1
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Mehso-so

The Audiobook version is too much. Full of interesting information. Two hour long chapters are just too long to listen. This might be better to read in print. I rate the audio version low. Unless you have a series of eight two hour long commutes I can‘t think of many who have two hours to just sit and listen to an audiobook. I gave up.

Sweettartlaura That‘s very good to know. I tend to read NDT via audiobooks - love his voice & the way he brings science to life. But this would definitely not work - thanks! 5y
Tkgbjenn1 👍🏼 I‘m going to try to print version. There is great information in the book. 5y
30 likes2 comments
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VinceReads
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Starting this light read tonight.

LibrarianRyan I have that book. Light read indeed. 😉 6y
42 likes1 comment
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Expandingbookshelf
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This is why you go to science nerd book club. We dorks can get down (and yes, that is a boozy Capri Sun pouch filled with strobe light ice cubes, thank you for noticing) 🤣🔬📖

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Floresj
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Pickpick

Great narrator in the audio version. This wasn‘t my favorite NDT, but, as always, I learned a lot and enjoyed most parts. Unlike his other books, there were sections that felt a little too long. Overall, it‘s a fascinating tour through the marriage of science research and war. The ending is political, but honest. If you really want to see what a nation values, look at their budget.

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Expandingbookshelf
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Mehso-so

When I read this book, NDT hadn‘t yet been outed as *allegedly* a Bad Man. I‘m glad I read it before the news broke, but I still didn‘t really enjoy what turned out to be a dry regurgitation of basically every intersection of science and war over the course history. There were parts of this book that were fascinating, but there was no need for this time to be 600 pages. I usually enjoy Tyson‘s writing, but I was very excited when this one ended.

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Ericalambbrown
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Pickpick

I had read some reviews on Goodreads complaining that this book had too much information, went to far in the weeds on history, etc. I couldn‘t disagree more. Sure, there‘s a ton of information (much I won‘t retain, I‘m sure 🤣), but this is an excellent reference that is extremely well annotated and indexed. I learned a ton as I read some/listened some. Audiobook is superbly narrated by Courtney B Vance. Check it out, fellow science nerds! 👍🏻

28 likes1 stack add
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Ericalambbrown
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Hank just woke up. Guess I‘m done reading for a while. 🤣😂 It may take a bit to get through this awesome NDT / Avis Lang book . . . Science nerds, it‘s not just war stuff. It‘s great so far. PS - Hank seems to think he‘s a bullygoat rather than a bulldog. 🤣

Tadams4 Such a precious picture! 6y
Ericalambbrown @Tadams4 He‘s a mess! We just adopted him on Wednesday, but he seems to be getting on just fine! 🤣 6y
Velvetfur Aaww he's a sweetie, and full of character! ❤️ 6y
27 likes3 comments
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Booksnchill
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Pickpick

Finished this on audio- Courtney B. Vance ya‘ll- excellent voicework! This is a book anyone who votes should read- what is the connection between astrophysics and the military. Science is progress but often the advances are put to predominantly military purposes. This surveys our journey from early navigation by constellations in the night sky through ICBM‘s and the fervent hope that we do not militarize space. Fascinating and well written💫🌎

Lauren_reading I really liked this one as well 6y
Christine Ooh, I have this waiting for me on library audio but didn‘t realize it was Courtney B. Vance-narrated - even more excited now!! 6y
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Booksnchill @Christine i zipped right through it- all 15 CDs🤣😍 6y
Ericalambbrown Isn‘t he fantastic? Mr Vance is such a great narrator- I‘m alternating reading and listening on this one, but I may just listen to it all. Half way through and I love it! 6y
Booksnchill @Ericalambbrown I have a 2 hour per day commute and this audio almost succeeded in making me wish it were longer! 6y
72 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Booksnchill
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My next commute listen- the latest from Neil deGrasse Tyson read by- Courtney Vance (beautifully done) about the confluence of astrophysics and the war machine and Tyson‘s grappling with the same. #NonFictionNovember

57 likes3 stack adds
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Lauren_reading
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So many books I haven‘t read yet!!!! Mount tbr continues to grow. #goodreads2018

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Geeklet
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Tyson can‘t help himself when it comes to Pluto. He loves throwing shade at the poor little rock and remind us that Pluto was de-planeted. What did Pluto do to hurt you so much Neil?!?

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Geeklet
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I‘ve been in fiction land for too long. Time to get back to my nerd roots for a little bit.

LibrarianRyan It‘s good but dense. 6y
36 likes1 comment
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RamsFan1963
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Pickpick

Well written and easy to understand. deGrasse Tyson has a gift for making even the most complex ideas understandable and the most mundane of facts an exciting adventure. Courtney B. Vance was an excellent choice of narrator. 5 💥💥💥💥💥 out of 5. Recommended for history buffs and science buffs.

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Lauren_reading
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Pickpick

If you want to read a book that makes you feel really smart and really dumb at the same time...here you go! It wasn‘t so far over my head I couldn‘t understand it, but parts dragged. My husband is in the AF so I asked him a few questions. Great narrator #audiobook #nonfiction

60 likes1 stack add
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Dorianna
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Am I smart enough to read this book? I guess we‘ll soon find out. 🔭🔬

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LibrarianRyan
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Trashcanman How much for the son of Hitler one? 6y
LibrarianRyan @Trashcanman after I read it and josh decides if he wants it it's yours. He's not a gn fan but he loves German history so I don't know what he will think. 6y
ReadingRover Omg Donut Fix looks excellent!!! 6y
57 likes3 stack adds4 comments