Thank you to Macmillan/Henry Holt and Company for sending me an ARC of this title. I received this copy for free and this review contains my honest opinions. 

 

I was incredibly excited to receive this title: I love science nonfiction and space is a pretty big deal in my family. Unfortunately, though, I was disappointed in this title. While I’ve previously enjoyed this author’s works, I don’t think this concept worked well. For me, the overall feel of this book was condescending and often self-congratulatory, with a particular disdain for the other professions mentioned. There was a theme of recognizing hidden biases throughout, but frustratingly little self-reflection. Perhaps I would not feel that way if I had listened to an audio version over reading a physical copy. 

 

There were several specific problems I had with the copy I received but ultimately, I don’t believe it adds anything to the conversations it was trying to include and I don’t think the author’s experience with astrophysics gives him a substantially greater insight on civilization. Several blatant inaccuracies I hope were fixed between my copy and the final print version (such as the number of Black justices appointed to the Supreme Court and using Roe v. Wade in the present tense, for instance). 

 

While this particular title did not end up meeting my expectations, thank you again to the publisher for sending me a free ARC.