The Pluto Files

The Rise and Fall of America's Favorite Planet

By: Neil deGrasse Tyson

Narrated by: Mirron Willis

Length: 4 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2009 Neil deGrasse Tyson (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A lighthearted look at the planet....Presents the medicine of hard science with a sugarcoating of lightness and humor." ( Publishers Weekly)

New Science, Who Dis?

I was surprised by the backlash rhe public had to the demotion of Pluto as a planet. The decision was really a no-brainer. I do realize change is hard, and there is nostalgia about what you learned in grade school. But, frankly, most of the science you learned in grade school has progressed, or may now even be obsolete. Especially, if it came from an old book. Oh, and, much like medical decisions they don't understand, lawmakers should stay away from science they don't understand.

However, I'm absolutely APPALLED at all the so-called "scientists" who were soooo adamant that Pluto is a planet. You are acting like fools, and I hope you are now embarrassed by your behavior. There is NO place for nostalgia is science. It was only a matter of time that we would learn something new about our solar system. This is the whole point of science! New discoveries are made!

Vocal Scientists who fought for Pluto the Planet: Are you so rooted in your beliefs that you can't fathom new nomenclature for new discoveries? (I highly doubt that all the biologists get together to vote at an international convention, every single time a new species of plant or animal is discovered.) Based on your logic, I'm surprised you're not still pissed off that Fire is no longer considered an Element? Are you so arrogant that you think you've got all the universe figured out? If so, you definitely should not be a scientist. And, FYI, history doesn't tend to "celebrate" scientists that insist on hanging on to their antiquated beliefs in the face of new discoveries. You acted like fools.

Clearly the museum was ahead of it's time. Though, to be clear, the museum exhibit never actually downgraded Pluto. This was a misinterpretation of the exhibit by those who don't know how to think outside their grade school training, along with hype and misreporting from the media.

Rare enjoyable lighthearted educational experience.

Pluto is not a planet. Pluto is a planet. First world issues and likely causing trauma to some.

Great experience. Great narrator and narration. Comical and lighthearted. Education to the process that lead to reclassification. No spoilers here as this serves as a chronological historical account as well.

Great work from a brilliant mind.

A short, fun, fascinating easy listen.

This book is part humor, part science and part history, but completely entertaining. Good clean fun and great bang for the buck. It's too bad it has to be so short, but every chapter is quality. This is a good one to pay money for, especially if you can get it on sale, because it's cheaper than using a credit and the book isn't long enough to merit using a credit on. You could easily blow through it while doing your chores on a Saturday afternoon. Especially because you won't want to stop listening.

Fun and Diverting

It's amazing how attached people got to Pluto, the little planet that tried. This book details with humor, grace, science, history and some good old fun narration, the way Pluto came to be a planet and then morphed into something else. For the science nerd (like me) there's a lot about the history of space examination and exploration, for the historian there's a lot about how Pluto became part of the national identity and for those who love whimsy you'll enjoy how this little planet became the center a huge debate.

Tyson's other book "Death By Black Hole" is better, with a better narrator. But this is a fast and fun read that made me smile throughout. You'll like it. I promise.

Enjoyable and Entertaining

I found Dr. Tyson's tale to be insightful, educational, and very entertaining. I was introduced to Dr. Tyson through his appearances on The Daily Show. He's just as entertaining in this audiobook as he is chatting with Jon Stewart.

Fun Trip Through Pluto's History

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. This book is very interesting, and it brings up wonderful points about how people and the media can be so passionate about things they know so little about.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved the systematic progression through the history of Pluto. This gives a background to work with when you get to the stories later in the book.

Which character – as performed by Mirron Willis – was your favorite?

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. It was great for a 6 hour drive home for Thanksgiving.

Interesting

It is exactly what you'd expect: a history of the discovery and debates regarding planet Pluto. I expected it to be better than this.

Informative and funny

Well written to not cover the scientific debate last decade that "demoted" Pluto, but also collect the many popular media comments & stories into a single, hilarious chapter!! Covered the science and made me chuckle throughout!

Pluto is not planet

Get over it people. Pluto is not a planet, this goes to show the governments of Arizona and California are nuts

Nice book

This is an awesome book that is very informative about the reality of the planet Pluto.