Beyond the Known

How Exploration Created the Modern World and Will Take Us to the Stars

By: Andrew Rader

Narrated by: Andrew Rader

From brilliant young polymath Andrew Rader—an MIT-credentialed scientist, popular podcast host, and SpaceX mission manager—an “engaging” (Tim Marshall, New York Times bestselling author) chronicle showcasing our human desire to continually explore new and uncharted territory, from civilization’s earliest days to interstellar travel.

For the first time in history, the human species has the technology to destroy itself. But having developed that power, humans are also able to leave Earth and voyage into the vastness of space. After millions of years of evolution, we’ve arrived at the point where we can settle other worlds and begin the process of becoming multi-planetary. How did we get here? What does the future hold for us?

Divided into four accessible sections, Beyond the Known examines major periods of discovery and rediscovery, from Classical Times, when Phoenicians, Persians, and Greeks ventured forth; to The Age of European Exploration, which saw colonies sprout on nearly every continent; to The Era of Scientific Inquiry, when researchers developed new tools for mapping and traveling farther; to Our Spacefaring Future, which unveils plans currently underway for settling other planets and, eventually, traveling to the stars.

A Mission Manager at SpaceX with a lively voice, Andrew Rader is at the forefront of space exploration. As a gifted historian, Rader, who has won global acclaim for his stunning breadth of knowledge, is singularly positioned to reveal the story of human exploration that is also the story of scientific achievement. Told with an infectious zeal for traveling seeking new horizons, Beyond the Known is “an astute—and highly flattering—view of human aspirations” (Kirkus Reviews).

Fact filled, accessible and flat out enjoyable

Andrew Rader successfully outlines a brief history of the world; using exploration as the lens. Its an incredibly easy listen that is fact filled and enjoyable throughout

Loved it!

An exciting whirlwind tour through the history of the world from our beginning to the modern world and into space, this book has it all. I learned a ton of new things, but this book is completely accessible to a non-history buff like myself. It’s told in a narrative style that’s like having a conversation with the author, which makes it very approachable. It’s noteworthy that the author talked about not only Western explorers, but explorers from around the world. I was especially interested in Andrew’s take on the future of exploration into space and to far away stars. The book left me excited to be alive and with a strong desire to encourage and support humanity’s next phase of exploration and discovery.

Great walk through history and into the future!

Very easy listen and very well put together. The talk of the near future in space with author's obvious deep understanding was fantastic.

Extensive Story About Ourt Thirst for Exploration

This is an extensive story about human curiosity and drive for exploration. It starts with the first civilizations - as soon as we could document it. I loved the approach to tell the entire story about the humanity's thirst for adventure and knowledge in a single book. However, expect the story to be very dense and full of facts - which is not an easy, although very enriching read. My favourite chapters were the last ones - where we enter the space age. The background of the author really flourishes here.
Recommended to listen or read with a fresh and eager mind - to get the most of it.