An interesting and readable collection of essays on astrophysics. The author isn’t afraid to expose his sense of humor, which livens up potentially dry material at the cost of the occasional groaner. He ranges somewhat randomly through astronomy, physics, and math, with a fair bit of history thrown in for color and background. It was a relaxingly easy read, especially in contrast to the first few hundred pages of The Road to Reality that I soldiered through on my winter break.