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| Horsehead Nebula |
I'm sure my actual first reading experience involved picture books with few words, simple plots, and nothing Ms. Tozzi should analyze. But looking back, there's one book that's probably been the most influential book in my life so far: Magnificent Universe, by Ken Croswell. It's a book about the universe, with a layout akin to magazines and content that combines accessibility with astrophysics. I know, I'm surprised I read it too; the book had appendices, how could I have? I probably didn't and focused on the full-page Hubble telescope pictures, skipping the “boring” bits about the solar system. I wanted Oort Cloud at least, preferably black holes. These awesome pictures (look up!) probably influenced me more than the words, but the effect is apparent. This book is largely responsible for not only my generalized nerdiness, but my specialized astrophysical nerdiness. Well, that and Star Wars, but that's another thing entirely.
How old were you when you read it? I can't help but be curious. I was the same way when I was younger, except I would read history text/ books. I didn't really notice how it reflected my interests today until I read this. ---And I still don't get your inordinate love for Star Wars by the way.---
ReplyDeleteI was probably younger than 8 by the time I had stopped reading it, but I still have it.
DeleteAnd Star Wars, when you're 8, is fantastic. The dialogue makes me sad now though. That and the creepy incestuous kiss...
That book sounds pretty intense because it is all "spacy" and stuff. Props for reading it though. It would be interesting to know all the fancy stuff about the universe. I liked how you wrote in a way that was like someone who didn't really know about the universe, "skipping the 'boring' bits."
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anthony, I thought it was awesome too. But I probably garnered no more than 40% of that book's knowledge. And that's counting staring at pictures as garnering knowledge.
DeleteI think it is very interesting how one book can influence someone's life so much. Perhaps this is because at an earlier age books and our parents provide most of the influence in our lives (and more and more T.V. nowadays...*shudder*). I think it's cool that you can trace your interest in astrophysics back to a book you read as a child! Reading books beyond your level helps to expand you own capabilities; your reading such a complex book, even only parts, at such a young age, is admirable.
ReplyDeleteI have never been interested in astrophysics, but I can tell that you reading such an advanced book at such a young age inspired you to continue down that path. When I was young, I read things such as Harry Potter due to my interest in mystical beings and magic. I'm glad you read this book because it represents who you are today.
ReplyDeleteYou remind me a lot of my brother when he was younger, it seems as though you both were interested in things that most children did not care about.
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