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How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming
- Narrated by: Ryan Gesell
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
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Publisher's summary
The debate culminated in the demotion of Pluto from real planet to the newly coined category of “dwarf” planet. Suddenly Brown was receiving hate mail from schoolchildren and being bombarded by TV reporters—all because of the discovery he had spent years searching for and a lifetime dreaming about. Filled with both humor and drama, How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming is Mike Brown’s engaging first-person account of the most tumultuous year in modern astronomy—which he inadvertently caused. As it guides readers through important scientific concepts and inspires us to think more deeply about our place in the cosmos, it is also an entertaining and enlightening personal story: While Brown sought to expand our understanding of the vast nature of space, his own life was changed in the most immediate, human ways by love, birth, and death. A heartfelt and personal perspective on the demotion of everyone’s favorite farflung planet, How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming is the book for anyone, young or old, who has ever dreamed of exploring the universe—and who among us hasn’t?
Critic reviews
"Finally I have someone to whom I can forward the hate mail I get from schoolchildren. After all these years, the real destroyer of Pluto has confessed. Part memoir and part planetary saga, How I Killed Pluto invites you into planetary scientist Mike Brown's office, his home, and his head as he tells the story of how his research on the outer solar system led directly to the death of Pluto, the planet." (Neil deGrasse Tyson, Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium and author of The Pluto Files: The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet)
“Romance, intrigue, laughter, skullduggery, and most of all: science! Mike Brown has done more than anyone to reshape our view of the solar system, and this first-person account of his discoveries is an irresistible page-turner. You’ll have so much fun, you won’t even notice how much you’re learning.” (Sean Carroll, author of From Eternity to Here: The Quest for the Ultimate Theory of Time)
“Science is at its best when it shakes up our thinking, and when it comes to planets, Mike Brown has grabbed on with both hands. Whether you think Pluto is a planet or just another ice ball, you’ll find Brown’s tale of exploring the outer solar system a charming and even endearing read. If Pluto is indeed dead, then its sacrifice was not in vain.” (Philip Plait, author of Death from the Skies!)
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Robert A. Heinlein has been hailed as one of the most forward-thinking science fiction writers of all time, and Expanded Universe (presented in two volumes) offers the perfect collection of his works to provide listeners with true insights into his uniquely creative mind.
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I Nostradamus type warning for today
- By mort on 06-26-18
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The Day We Found the Universe
- By: Marcia Bartusiak
- Narrated by: Erik Synnestvedt
- Length: 10 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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From one of our most acclaimed science writers: a dramatic narrative of the discovery of the true nature and startling size of the universe, delving back past the moment of revelation to trace the decades of work--by a select group of scientists--that made it possible.
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Worth the Effort
- By Roy on 08-13-09
By: Marcia Bartusiak
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The Age of Entanglement
- When Quantum Physics was Reborn
- By: Louisa Gilder
- Narrated by: Walter Dixon
- Length: 14 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
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A brilliantly original and richly illuminating exploration of entanglement, the seemingly telepathic communication between two separated particles - one of the fundamental concepts of quantum physics.
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Quite nice
- By Michael on 02-14-10
By: Louisa Gilder
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The Ascension Mysteries
- Revealing the Cosmic Battle Between Good and Evil
- By: David Wilcock
- Narrated by: David Wilcock
- Length: 20 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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David Wilcock's previous New York Times best sellers, The Source Field Investigations and The Synchronicity Key, used cutting-edge alternative science to reveal oft-hidden truths about our universe. In The Ascension Mysteries, David takes us on a gripping personal journey that describes the secret cosmic battle between positive and negative happening every day, hidden in both the traumas of our own lives and the world's headlines.
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mentally agonizing, embarrassing, awkward, tedious
- By Diana on 09-01-16
By: David Wilcock
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The Fire Seekers
- The Babel Trilogy, Book 1
- By: Richard Farr
- Narrated by: Scott Merriman
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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An undeciphered language in Crete. A rash of mysterious disappearances, from Bolivia to Japan. An ancient warning at the ruins of Babel. And a new spiritual leader, who claims that human history as we understand it is about to come to an end.
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A fresh story!
- By AB on 02-08-15
By: Richard Farr
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Explore/Create
- My Life in Pursuit of New Frontiers, Hidden Worlds, and the Creative Spark
- By: Richard Garriott, David Fisher
- Narrated by: Christopher Grove
- Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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An inventor, adventurer, entrepreneur, collector, and entertainer, and son of legendary scientist-astronaut Owen Garriott, Richard Garriott de Cayeux has been behind some of the most exciting undertakings of our time. A legendary pioneer of the online gaming industry - and a member of every gaming Hall of Fame - Garriott invented the multi-player online game, and coined the term "Avatar" to describe an individual's online character. In this fascinating memoir, Garriott invites listeners on the great adventure that is his life.
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The Modern Day Explorer
- By Elijah on 04-17-17
By: Richard Garriott, and others
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Confessions of an Alien Hunter
- A Scientist's Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
- By: Seth Shostak
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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This engaging memoir reveals the true story of the Search for ExtraterrestrialIntelligence (SETI), and discloses what we may very soon discover. Chronicling the program’s history with insight and humor, SETI senior astronomer Seth Shostak assures us that if there is sentient life in the universe, we are within decades of picking up its signal.
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Somewhat Disappointed...
- By Tim on 11-12-10
By: Seth Shostak
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Seveneves
- A Novel
- By: Neal Stephenson
- Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal, Will Damron
- Length: 31 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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A catastrophic event renders the earth a ticking time bomb. In a feverish race against the inevitable, nations around the globe band together to devise an ambitious plan to ensure the survival of humanity far beyond our atmosphere, in outer space.
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Odd narrator choice
- By Josh Mitchell on 05-30-15
By: Neal Stephenson
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Space Odyssey
- Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece
- By: Michael Benson
- Narrated by: Todd McLaren
- Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Regarded as a masterpiece today, 2001: A Space Odyssey received mixed reviews. Despite the success of Dr. Strangelove, director Stanley Kubrick wasn't yet recognized as a great filmmaker, and 2001 was radically innovative, with little dialogue and no strong central character. Author Michael Benson explains how 2001 was made, telling the story primarily through the two people most responsible for the film, Kubrick and science fiction legend Arthur C. Clarke. Benson interviewed Clarke many times, and has also spoken at length with Kubrick's widow, Christiane.
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A Book Wholly Equal to its Subject
- By Reggie on 04-17-19
By: Michael Benson
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Rise of the Rocket Girls
- The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars
- By: Nathalia Holt
- Narrated by: Erin Bennett
- Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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In the 1940s and '50s, when the newly minted Jet Propulsion Laboratory needed quick-thinking mathematicians to calculate velocities and plot trajectories, they didn't turn to male graduates. Rather, they recruited an elite group of young women who, with only pencil, paper, and mathematical prowess, transformed rocket design, helped bring about the first American satellites, and made the exploration of the solar system possible.
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Struggles In Space Exploration
- By Sara on 06-11-16
By: Nathalia Holt
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Sally Ride
- America's First Woman in Space
- By: Lynn Sherr
- Narrated by: Pam Ward
- Length: 13 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
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A member of the first astronaut class to include women, NASA chose her for the seventh shuttle mission, inspiring several generations of women. After a second flight, Ride served on the panels investigating the Challenger explosion and the Columbia disintegration that killed all aboard. In both instances, she faulted NASA's rush to meet mission deadlines and its organizational failures. She also cofounded a company promoting science and education for children, especially girls.
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Captivating
- By Jean on 06-12-14
By: Lynn Sherr
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Millennial Hospitality IV: After Hours
- By: Charles James Hall
- Narrated by: Charles James Hall
- Length: 10 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
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In the first three volumes of his memoirs concerning experiences while serving at Nellis Air Force Base, Charles Hall gave astonishing testimony of having met with “Tall White” extraterrestrials located at a secret underground facility at Nellis. Three independent witnesses have come forward to confirm important parts of Hall's testimony. Hall is a credible witness of extraterrestrials having reached agreements with US military officials.
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Captivating
- By Reveler01 on 09-08-24
What listeners say about How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Tony Smith
- 04-23-14
Funny guy for a scientist
Not what you'd expect from a science guy with fun quips and he moved the story along nicely. Also taught about a topic I've studied little but now feel I'm well versed on.
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- jpau00
- 05-29-11
Lovely
I downloaded this book thinking it would be fun to learn more about the Pluto controversy, as I only remember snippets of it from news clips. It does cover the period leading to and including Pluto losing its status as a planet. What I thought would be a straight-forward account ended up being a beautiful memoir on research, and to a lesser extent teaching, and to a greater extent balancing these with life. Some people might prefer a "just the facts" approach, but I loved this route. As an artist who teaches, it helped me look at my relationship to my work in a different light.
The author mentions that part of announcing a discovery is to engage the general public, and to make astronomy accessible and tangible to a wider audience. I think Mr. Brown does well in presenting not only the factual information but also the politics, passions, and mystery of his field of research.
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- Rodney
- 02-07-13
Entertaining
A great short read, what should have been a pretty boring subject really comes to life. The reader does a great job. Regardless of if you're interested in the subject this book will still entertain. 5-stars.
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- Brandon Ruggles
- 03-16-21
Fun read despite the potentially boring topic
I really liked this book, I am not really interested in astronomy, but the author did a good job making it relevant to a general audience.
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- Laura
- 03-11-22
How I killed Pluto and why it had it coming
This book is the best thing I have read in years, although it may be influenced by the fact that I am gen z .but I loved it and finding out what happened and why was amazing! Thank you mike brown! You were so right and I have always wanted to be an astronomer so this was amazing
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- T. Webb
- 12-19-19
this is a great book except for profanity.
this book would have been perfect to educate my children on the solar system except for the inclusion of a profane quote from Mike Brown's wife.
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Overall
- Nick M
- 12-30-10
EXCELLENT
If you've ever had a fantasy about being a great astronomer this book will give you ample fodder for your imagination.
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- Bob
- 10-22-15
Interesting story
A good tale of the professional and personal life of a scientist combined with a whodunit.
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- Deb N.
- 07-16-12
Astronomy for everyone
Any additional comments?
How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had it Coming by Mike Brown
I will admit I was saddened when I found out that Pluto had been demoted as a planet and I did not really know much about the whys of the decision, that’s what interested me in the book. I am also a science lover but definitely not an Astronomy buff. This book was great. It was enlightening about how modern Astronomy research is done and I don’t feel so sad about Pluto anymore. In fact I wish schools would teach planetary Science properly then a lot of the controversy surrounding Pluto would be diminished. The story is mostly a memoir of how the research was done to find other bodies in the Kuiper Belt area of the universe and how Pluto is just one of many thousands of objects in that region of space. It is a fascinating tale of scientific research, scientific intrigue, explanations about astronomy and the true meaning of the word “planet”, along with the back story to the whole Pluto problem. Nice background info about historical aspects of Astronomy and I really loved the personal parts the author added in about meeting his wife and the wonderful parts about his daughter. It made the determined scientist a real person, and a very likeable one at that. I listened to the Audible audio version of the book and I want to give kudos to the narrator, too, who did a fantastic job.
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- Jack
- 02-23-13
Entertaining, engaging and sometimes exciting
Its hard to believe that a book about astronomy, by an astronomer, could stir up any emotion exceeding casual interest. Yet I found this book both entertaining and occasionally riveting. While intensely personal at times, the book is fundamentally about the passion of a driven scientist.While blessed with a position that allowed access to the best tools of the trade, what separates the author from the mainstream is his ability to make best use of what was available. This book straddles detail, but not of a technical variety, with an overview that is specific enough to keep it interesting. The key sub-story of academic intrigue is genuinely telling, as well as really gripping. I was thinking of buying the book to give to a nine year old that is excited by the subject, but I think think that the personal parts might put him off. Maybe next year.
It is not too long and plays well at double speed. All in all, well worth listening to.
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