2012 Puddly Awards
 
 
Follow us on TwitterFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TumblrSubscribe to RSS

Recently Viewed clear list

Interviews | January 3, 2012

Jill Owens: IMG Naomi Benaron: The Powells.com Interview

1 comment By Jill Owens

Naomi BenaronRunning the Rift is the most recent winner of the PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, as awarded by Barbara Kingsolver. It's also an... Continue »
  1. $17.47 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

    Running the Rift

    Naomi Benaron 9781616200428
spacer
Free Shipping!

Ships free on qualified orders.
$23.95
New Hardcover
Ships in 1 to 3 days
Add to Wishlist
Qty Store Section
5 Local Warehouse History of Science- General
13 Remote Warehouse Astronomy- General

eBook editions

The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet

by Neil deGrasse Tyson

The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet Cover

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The New York Times best-selling author chronicles America's irrational love affair with Pluto, man's best celestial friend.

In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union voted Pluto out of planethood. Far from the sun, tiny, and eccentric in orbit, it's a wonder Pluto has any fans. Yet during the mounting debate over Pluto's status, Americans rallied behind the extraterrestrial underdog. The year of Pluto's discovery, Disney created an irresistible pup by the same name, and, as one NASA scientist put it, Pluto was "discovered by an American for America." Pluto is entrenched in our cultural, patriotic view of the cosmos, and Neil deGrasse Tyson is on a quest to discover why.

Only Tyson can tell this story: he was involved in the first exhibits to demote Pluto, and, consequently, Pluto lovers have freely shared their opinions with him, including endless hate mail from third graders. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores the history of planet classification and America's obsession with the "planet" that's recently been judged a dwarf.

Review:

"A mini-anthology of editorial cartoons commiserating with Plutos plight rounds out Tysons highly entertaining account." Booklist

Review:

"Tyson documents Pluto's fall with editorial cartoons, letters from schoolchildren, song lyrics, and dialog among disagreeing scientists. He also expertly relates the history and science of Pluto and its discovery. Recommended." Library Journal

Synopsis:

The New York Times-bestselling author chronicles America's irrational love affair with Pluto. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores the history of planet classification and America's obsession with the "planet" that's recently been judged a dwarf. 35 color, 10 black & white illustrations.

Synopsis:

The New York Times best-selling author chronicles America's irrational love affair with Pluto, man's best celestial friend.

Synopsis:

In his typically witty way, "New York Times"-bestselling author Tyson explores the history of planet classification and discusses America's obsession with the "planet" that's recently been judged a dwarf. Illustrated.

Synopsis:

The New York Timesbestseller: 'You gotta read this. It is the most exciting book about Pluto you will ever read in your life."Jon Stewart

Synopsis:

When the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History reclassified Pluto as an icy comet, the New York Timesproclaimed on page one, 'Pluto Not a Planet? Only in New York.' Immediately, the public, professionals, and press were choosing sides over Pluto"s planethood. Pluto is entrenched in our cultural and emotional view of the cosmos, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Rose Center, is on a quest to discover why. He stood at the heart of the controversy over Pluto"s demotion, and, consequently, plutophiles have freely shared their opinions with him, including endless hate mail from third-graders.

Synopsis:

In August 2006, the International AstronomicalUnion voted Pluto out ofplanethood. Far fromthe sun, wonder Pluto has any fans. Yet during themounting debate overrallied behind the extraterrestrial underdog.Disney createdanirresistible pup by the same name, and, asone NASA scientist put it, Pluto wasdiscovered by anAmerican forAmerica. Pluto is entrenched in ourcultural, patriotic view of thecosmos, and NeildeGrasse Tysonis on a quest to discover why.Only Tyson can tell thisstory: he was involved inthe first exhibits to demote Pluto, and, consequently, Pluto lovers have freelyshared their opinions withhim, includingendlesshate mail from third graders. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores thehistoryof planetrecently been judged a dwarf.
back to top

About the Author

Neil deGrasse Tyson is an astrophysicist with the American Museum of Natural History, director of the world-famous Hayden Planetarium, a monthly columnist for Natural History, and an award-winning author. He lives in New York City.
back to top

What Our Readers Are Saying

Add a comment for a chance to win!
Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
sebe, July 5, 2009 (view all comments by sebe)
This is good title to call the book because it is informing people especially American that the planet earth, they love so much is going to destroy.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
Cathy from Olympia, Washington, May 9, 2009 (view all comments by Cathy from Olympia, Washington)
Like many Americans, I have a soft spot for Pluto (the former planet, that is), particularly as Pluto was discovered in Flagstaff, Arizona where I grew up. Pluto Files is a history of the diminutive ex-planet from discovery to it's controversial demotion. Peppered throughout are photos, numerous cartoons, a 1932 ad for Pluto Water (a popular laxative), and a sampling of the hate mail Tyson received from both children and adults after inadvertently beginning (or at least being associated with) the demotion of Pluto. The appendices include the complete lyrics to 3 Pluto songs, and the rather amusing Assembly Bill HR36 condemning the demotion of Pluto, citing psychological and economic harm to the people of California. Pluto Files is a thoroughly entertaining, yet educational read.
Was this comment helpful? | Yes | No
(2 of 4 readers found this comment helpful)
report this comment
View all 2 comments
back to top

Product Details

ISBN:
9780393065206
Author:
Tyson, Neil deGrasse
Publisher:
W. W. Norton & Company
Author:
Degrasse Tyson, Neil
Author:
Tyson, Neil de Grasse
Subject:
Astrophysics & Space Science
Subject:
Astronomy - Solar System
Subject:
History
Subject:
Astronomy
Subject:
Pluto (Dwarf planet)
Subject:
Astronomy - General
Subject:
History of Science-General
Copyright:
2009
Publication Date:
January 7, 2009
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Illustrations:
35 color, 10 black-and-white
Pages:
224
Dimensions:
8.42x6.40x.80 in. 1.20 lbs.
back to top

Other books you might like

  1. $6.95 Used Trade Paper add to wish list

    E = Einstein: His Life, His Thought, and His Influence on Our Culture

    Donald Goldsmith 9781402763199
  2. $6.95 Used Trade Paper add to wish list

    Being Nikki (Airhead)

    Meg Cabot 9780545040587
  3. $8.50 Used Hardcover add to wish list

    Stellaluna

    Janell Cannon 9780152802172
  4. $6.50 Used Hardcover add to wish list

    A Novel of the Titanic (Distant Waves)

    Suzanne Weyn 9780545085724
  5. $4.95 Used Hardcover add to wish list

    Valentine Princess (Princess Diaries Books)

    Meg Cabot 9780060847180
  6. $15.00 Used Trade Paper add to wish list

    Animal (01 Edition)

    David Burnie 9780756616342
back to top

Related Aisles

The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet New Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$23.95 In Stock
Product details 224 pages W.W. Norton & Co. - English 9780393065206 Reviews:
"Review" by , "A mini-anthology of editorial cartoons commiserating with Plutos plight rounds out Tysons highly entertaining account."
"Review" by , "Tyson documents Pluto's fall with editorial cartoons, letters from schoolchildren, song lyrics, and dialog among disagreeing scientists. He also expertly relates the history and science of Pluto and its discovery. Recommended."
"Synopsis" by , The New York Times-bestselling author chronicles America's irrational love affair with Pluto. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores the history of planet classification and America's obsession with the "planet" that's recently been judged a dwarf. 35 color, 10 black & white illustrations.
"Synopsis" by , The New York Times best-selling author chronicles America's irrational love affair with Pluto, man's best celestial friend.
"Synopsis" by , In his typically witty way, "New York Times"-bestselling author Tyson explores the history of planet classification and discusses America's obsession with the "planet" that's recently been judged a dwarf. Illustrated.
"Synopsis" by , The New York Timesbestseller: 'You gotta read this. It is the most exciting book about Pluto you will ever read in your life."Jon Stewart
"Synopsis" by , When the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History reclassified Pluto as an icy comet, the New York Timesproclaimed on page one, 'Pluto Not a Planet? Only in New York.' Immediately, the public, professionals, and press were choosing sides over Pluto"s planethood. Pluto is entrenched in our cultural and emotional view of the cosmos, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, director of the Rose Center, is on a quest to discover why. He stood at the heart of the controversy over Pluto"s demotion, and, consequently, plutophiles have freely shared their opinions with him, including endless hate mail from third-graders.
"Synopsis" by , In August 2006, the International AstronomicalUnion voted Pluto out ofplanethood. Far fromthe sun, wonder Pluto has any fans. Yet during themounting debate overrallied behind the extraterrestrial underdog.Disney createdanirresistible pup by the same name, and, asone NASA scientist put it, Pluto wasdiscovered by anAmerican forAmerica. Pluto is entrenched in ourcultural, patriotic view of thecosmos, and NeildeGrasse Tysonis on a quest to discover why.Only Tyson can tell thisstory: he was involved inthe first exhibits to demote Pluto, and, consequently, Pluto lovers have freelyshared their opinions withhim, includingendlesshate mail from third graders. In his typically witty way, Tyson explores thehistoryof planetrecently been judged a dwarf.
spacer
spacer
  • back to top
Follow us on...


Powell's City of Books is an independent bookstore in Portland, Oregon, that fills a whole city block with more than a million new, used, and out of print books. Shop those shelves — plus literally millions more books, DVDs, and eBooks — here at Powells.com.