The Books That Shaped My Childhood

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Neil deGrasse Tyson shares the books that shaped his scientific thinking. From the works that inspired his childhood curiosity about the cosmos to titles that influenced how he views physics, evolution, and critical thinking, Neil walks us through the authors and ideas that helped define his intellectual journey. You’ll hear about classic science writing from Carl Sagan, Stephen Jay Gould, George Gamow, and more, along with how these books sparked ideas like Manhattanhenge and deepened Neil’s understanding of the universe. Whether you’re looking for your next science read or want insight into the inspirations behind Neil’s career, this conversation highlights the power of curiosity and lifelong learning. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to StarTalk Plus! 00:53 Neil's Childhood Interest in the Cosmos 02:50 One Two Three... Infinity: Facts and Speculations of Science by George Gamow 06:48 Inspiration behind Manhattanhenge 10:25 Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science by Martin Gardner 12:34 The Flying Circus of Physics by Jearl Walker 14:26 The Encyclopedia of Ignorance by Ronald Duncan and Miranda Weston-Smith 16:07 Newton's Philosophy of Nature: Selections from his Writings 19:32 Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift 26:00 The Throwing Madonna: Essays on the Brain by William H. Calvin 29:13 Ever Since Darwin: Reflections in Natural History by Stephen Jay Gould 31:34 Sport Science: Physical Laws and Optimum Performance by Peter J. Brancazio 35:03 The Cosmic Connection: An Extraterrestrial Perspective by Carl Sagan 35:27 Outro and Final Thoughts Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'To Infinity and Beyond: A Journey of Cosmic Discovery' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3PL0NFn Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Pla