I’ve been slacking in my linking to reviews of my book Death from the Skies!, for the two of you who haven’t been inundated with my onslaught of self-promotional posts. So here are seven:
1) The scifi blog io9 (which calls the book "the most entertaining astronomy book of the year". I’m offended actually, since of course they meant "… of all time");
3) The Weekender;
4) Ezine Articles;
5) The Canton Michigan public library;
6) Mike Dunford at Science Blogs, who writes The Questionable Authority,
and
7) Jason Bock’s personal review, where he compares my book to one by to Isaac Asimov. Whoa.
They all liked it, and it makes me smile that so many people liked my footnotes. I used them a lot for the jokes, though one lengthy one describes magnetars, which scare the poop out of me. Someday I’ll write more about them. There’s something about a seismic shift in the crust of a neutron star measuring 32 on the Richter scale that just begs to be discussed…
February 18th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
I BOUGHT it already. Sheesh, stop nagging me!
P.S. It was a fun read, and the first phrase that popped in my mind when I checked out the video of the Texas fireball.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Phil;
Glad the reviews are going well. I liked your book and am now passing around my copy to my friends to read. On second thought, perhaps I should not have told you that and demanded that those cheap buggers go out and buy their own copies!
FYI, I keep seeing banner and google ads on your page for “iFate” free astrology charts and psychic readings etc. Have you talked to your hive overmind about them? Can they be controlled? Seems a bit wierd to see them considering your views those of your readers.
cheers
Paul
February 18th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Whoa indeed!
And yes, your footnote jokes were well-executed.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Phil,
Thanks for the CPL shout-out! Death did not disappoint, though it would be hard to beat BA.
-bpcz
February 18th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
I keep a copy in my bathroom. Some days I read more than others, depending on what I had for dinner the night before.
February 18th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Hey, Phil, did you place an order for the T-shirt that I had recommended to you yesterday? (Click on my name.)
February 18th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
okay so we def. aren’t going to die in 2012, but there is a chance of death in 2036 with Apophis? This is definately scary….I hope my kids never approach me on this stuff….
February 18th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Hey Phil;
I’ve been trying for awhile to pick up Death from my local Barnes & Noble but they’ve been out of stock for like 4 months! Why no love for Williamsburg, VA?
Nah, I know it isn’t your fault. Guess I’ll just order it…but I want it NOW!!
February 18th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Phil,
I just finished the book last night and it was amazing. It has renewed my interest in astronomy and want to learn more. Keep up the good work.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Compared to Isaac Asimov? And it’s not in reference to sideburns?
Whoah!
J/P=?
February 18th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
How did you get 32 on the richter scale?
what’s the math behind that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_magnitude_scale
February 18th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
‘There’s something about a seismic shift in the crust of a neutron star measuring 32 on the Richter scale that just begs to be discussed”
well considering a 10.5 is strong enough to cleave the earth in half. a 32 is hard to comprehend. i sat here staring at that number for 10 seconds while my brain was catching up, like a frozen progam on vista
February 18th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Couple of questions to the readership here.
I’ve got a soon to be nine-year old son. While he’s reading a couple grades up, I’m still wondering if “Death” would be manageable for him. Thoughts?
Also, I’m taking the family to Hawaii this March, the Big Island specifically. Anyone know if the observatories are visitor/kid friendly?
Thanks in advance.
J
February 18th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I don’t think my 9yo would quite get it and I’m sure he’s pretty much a nerd, and definitely reading above grade level (when we found our dog dead a couple of days ago, facing the couch, as if she was trying to get on before her old body gave out, he made the same observation and came to the same conclusion, he proclaimed “I made an INFERENCE!” —-Yikes! Should I be proud or afraid?)
My teens would definitely love this–in fact my oldest cracked up at the few pages he read…I guess Phil knows how to get into the head of a teenage boy. My 12yo, hmm, close call, but I don’t think she is interested.
Maybe you could read chapters with him and see what he understands and explain what he doesn’t. That’s a good way to get around that stuff. Fun for the whole family!
Monopoly? Clue? Forget it! Death from the Skies! (but not too close to bedtime!) See Phil? great ideas for merchandising. Shirts, board games, oooh, video game (Wii-yes)! Lunch boxes, candies, pencils…..you are missing the whole tween market with just the book.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I can has Death from the Skies!1
February 18th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
I managed to get a review of the book by a well known blogger written on my copy (links to my blog)
http://tinyurl.com/a9vccq
I loved Death From The Skies, as always Phil your enthusiasm for the subject is almost palpable in your writing.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Make a Death shirt, I will buy it! I won’t buy the Bad Astronomy stuff…just not the best design, but an all red/orange shirt would look amazing on me….
And don’t make the thong…the audience is way too limited.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
No, wait. I get the shirt for free for giving you the idea….
This comment is binding….
February 18th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
@Copernic: Google “hawaii observatory tours”. There’s a couple of pages right at the top, but it sounds like they are pretty closely guarded. No civilians after dark, rough terrain. Though, there are observing galleries for the Keck and UH2.2m scopes, it sounds like it’s a tough climb if you’re not taking a commercial tour. 4 X 4 access only and high altitude with all the caveats that brings.
February 19th, 2009 at 1:33 am
No offence, but I have to question that 32 on the Richter scale, if I did my math correct, that is pretty close to the entire energy output of the sun, over its entire life. Of course, magnetars are just nuts anyway, I mean, wow, just wow.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:07 am
When will “Death from the Skies!” be available in the UK?
Cause Im waiting excitedly.
February 19th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Goddess:
A nine year old declaiming about inference is pretty cool.
Reminds me of the day I went with my 19 month old daughter(Jeri) to retrieve Mom and Son from the hospital. As the nurse was wheeling Mom and new born Son into the lobby, the nurse asked Jeri ” What do you think of your new dolly?”
Jeri looked at her with disgust and said ” That’s no dolly. THAT’S my brother,,,”
Children can be truly amazing,,,
GAry 7
February 19th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Totally unrelated but ….
Any ideas when “Death ..” would reach Indian shores ? I mean, why can’t I even order it online? WTF does all the good things in life have to travel the entire world just to reach this place?
Sorry, if I am grouchy – but i have been trying for like, 3 months now…
February 19th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Phil, your book just arrived in my hands today. I’m doing my part to stimulate the economy.
I hope you spend the money productively.
February 19th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Looks like there is another review of your book.
http://www.scifidimensions.com/main/2009/02/19/death-from-the-skies/