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)

Understanding Pluto

Any additional comments?

Before reading this book I was one of the people offended on behalf of Pluto. After hearing this book I had a much greater understanding of several aspects of astronomy and how decisions come to be "They say...." statements that get picked up by the press.

Learned quite a bit in author defence of decision

3.5 stars. Author defends his decision to call Pluto not a planet and covers why it such a challenge to classify it one way or another. In any case, I learned a lot being a complete novice on this subject. It was interesting, somewhat entertaining, but I wasn't necessarily a fan of how the material was presented, which seemed a bit defensive and not strictly informative. Anyway, not having much to compare this to, I don't regret reading it. Others with more pre-existing knowledge may find the book overkill and prefer he just get to / stick to the scientific facts. recommended on a limited basis.

good read

I enjoyed it. I definitely recommend it for young readers. They deserve to know of both perspectives to conjure an opinion of their own.

re-districting legislation

The funniest part of this book was not actually written by NDT, but by the California Legislature:

"WHEREAS, The downgrading of Pluto reduces the number of planets
available for legislative leaders to hide redistricting legislation
and other inconvenient political reform measures; and
WHEREAS, The California Legislature, in the closing days of the
2005-06 session, has been considering few matters important to the
future of California, and the status of Pluto takes precedence and is
worthy of this body's immediate attention; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
Assembly hereby condemns the International Astronomical Union's
decision to strip Pluto of its planetary status for its tremendous
impact on the people of California and the state's long term fiscal
health; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly Clerk shall send a copy of the
resolution to the International Astronomical Union and to any
Californian who, believing that his or her legislator is addressing
the problems that threaten the future of the Golden State, requests a
copy of the resolution."

Who says politicians don't have a sense of humor?

This was a great read. I really enjoyed the mix of (pop) science and cultural and social issues. In fact, I think the Pluto Debacle can stand as a reasonable analogy for all the issues where people refuse to believe the evidence presented to them by science.

I had no personal opinion about Pluto coming into this book, but when NDT talks, I listen. I mean, he was voted the Sexiest Astrophysicist by People Magazine.

A great read for non-technophiles

Any additional comments?

I have seen Neal deGrasse Tyson on television many times. What struck me about this title was an espisode of The Big Bang theory where he apologises to one of the main characters for his role in "demoting" Pluto. My wife, a science teacher, was well aware of what had happened but I wasn't. I figured for a "daily deal" it was worth a shot. I'm very glad I purchased it. With an easy writing stye, deGrasse Tyson lays out not just what happened but gives the reader a concise understanding of the planetary classes within the solar system. And at four hours in length, it was just right for me. This is a great book for the layman. You aren't expected to understand astrophysics or mathematics. Just sit back and listen to the tale unfold. After finishing the book, I'm not convinced that Pluto isn't still a planet, albeit a really small one, but I'm now in a much better position to discuss this around the water cooler at work or with friends. This book makes you smarter.

almost as good as in person

recently attended a lecture with Dr.Tyson..could only be better with him actually reading it to me .

Short but fun

Would you try another book from Neil deGrasse Tyson and/or Mirron Willis?

I've read a few books but Neil deGrasse but if you want hard core science this is not it. Go for Death by Black Hole, which is a really interesting book. At the moment we know very little about Pluto (that should change in a few months), so it can't be too detailed on science.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The book is an interesting discussion of how science (classification) can be effected more by emotion than fact.

Was The Pluto Files worth the listening time?

Yes. It was a fun short book

Pluto is not a planet

This book is very clear about the controversy over Pluto's status in the solar system. As in all the books I have read by Neil Tyson, his commentary is interesting , informative and a joy to read.

Now I know the rest of the story!

I, too, was so upset at hearing that Pluto was no longer a planet, but now I feel a bit foolish for that. So glad to have read this and expand my knowledge.

Wordy mental masturbation with a snarky attitude

Pluto is a planet
Pluto is not a planet
Pluto might be a planet
Pluto might be an asteroid
Pluto might be a comet
Pluto has a moon
Pluto doesn't have a moon
Pluto is a moon
Pluto is a binary system
Pluto orbits its moon
Pluto's moon orbits Pluto
Pluto is a proto-planet
Pluto is a dog created by Disney
Pluto is Pluto is a God of death

The truth is that whether Pluto is a planet or not doesn't really matter.

By the logic of this book: if you only have one example of something, you cannot classify it. You need two of something to classify anything. Rubbish! By this logic if Jupiter was our only gas giant it would be unclassifiable.

Pluto is an excuse for snarky scientists to waste their intellect and reasoning ability.

If scientists focused as much energy on science as they do trying to tear each other down, we'd be a lot further along than we are now with our collective discovery of knowledge.

I hate snarky scientists and snarky science. But, then again scientists can't be expected to use their intelligence constructively all the time.

The book mistakenly makes a point St. Christopher no longer a saint. This is not true. While there is little known about him, St. Christopher is still a recognized saint. What was changed was that his feast day was removed from the liturgical calendar. A lot of recognized saints do not have feast days.

Had Disney not named their cartoon dog Pluto, I doubt this book would ever been written.
Also, other than the author, who ever said that Pluto or any other planet was America's favorite?

Do I care if Pluto is a planet or not. Not really.

This just gives everyone an excuse to vote funding elsewhere.

I found the book to be both condescending and snarky.