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.
benrogerswpg's review
3.0
Good book, but contained more history than I was looking for - most of which I already knew.
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
siriuslysirius's review
3.0
I’m not sure what I expected from this book. Yes. I expected politics. But at times the political subject was exasperating. I try my best to stay moderate in my views (we'll always have strife and foolishness while a two-party system governs). Seeing one-sided political jabs from scientists is always disheartening.
Reading reviews on this book, I see several complaints that this book jumps all over the place and makes no sense. Yes, it does jump around in time, but it makes sense. It's organized in a way that follows technology as it leads to its use in war. It's fascinating seeing greater details on subjects that I am familiar with. But, unfortunately, most of this book was not written by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Anyone who that has read one book that he has written can see this. It was not in his voice nor does it have his charm.
The biggest turnoff in this book is the closed-minded political jabs. The jabs are short and succinct, but they’re there. Examples: The author (assumed Lang) twisted Trump’s stance on Turkish immigration as a hindrance to science. And that the women’s marches after the 2016 election were for scientific reasons. Yet, glazes over Obama’s damage to scientific advancement.
So, 3 stars not because of the science, but because:
1. Not a Neil DeGrasse Tyson book – he didn’t pen the book. His name is attached as an author to sell the book or maybe he funded it or obtained the publisher.
2. Closed-minded political jabs (which Avis Lang is entitled to but is a turn off for me when I want SCIENCE).
3. Deviated from a great science/war association about 50% into the book.
It’s a bummer giving an average score to a book that is affiliated with my all-time favorite scientist (and one of the few people that I’d be starstruck meeting).
Reading reviews on this book, I see several complaints that this book jumps all over the place and makes no sense. Yes, it does jump around in time, but it makes sense. It's organized in a way that follows technology as it leads to its use in war. It's fascinating seeing greater details on subjects that I am familiar with. But, unfortunately, most of this book was not written by Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Anyone who that has read one book that he has written can see this. It was not in his voice nor does it have his charm.
The biggest turnoff in this book is the closed-minded political jabs. The jabs are short and succinct, but they’re there. Examples: The author (assumed Lang) twisted Trump’s stance on Turkish immigration as a hindrance to science. And that the women’s marches after the 2016 election were for scientific reasons. Yet, glazes over Obama’s damage to scientific advancement.
So, 3 stars not because of the science, but because:
1. Not a Neil DeGrasse Tyson book – he didn’t pen the book. His name is attached as an author to sell the book or maybe he funded it or obtained the publisher.
2. Closed-minded political jabs (which Avis Lang is entitled to but is a turn off for me when I want SCIENCE).
3. Deviated from a great science/war association about 50% into the book.
It’s a bummer giving an average score to a book that is affiliated with my all-time favorite scientist (and one of the few people that I’d be starstruck meeting).