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If you are a rational, open-minded person, you will love Tyson's Starry Messenger. Tyson looks at the many ways we allow thoughts, feelings, opinions and biases to influence how we interpret the world around us. If you are rational and open-minded you likely see many of these things as they happen, but when put together in a single book, the result can be stunning. It can also likely be a bitter pill to swallow (or spit out entirely) if it invalidates your beliefs. The book reinforces both the importance of well-collected and representative data and the ability to operate in an ambiguous zone where there is no clearly defined correct or incorrect conclusion. I particularly love when as a thought experiment, Tyson looks at racism from the perspective of Blacks being superior and whites being inferior. For some readers, they may be greatly offended. To me, it was amusing in an almost not-funny way because it is such a beautifully simplistic thought experiment that shows the implicit bias in perspective, and how those with power can ingrain opinions to the point where whole groups of humans accept them as fact. And while using data as a basis for making decisions is great, it isn't totally infallible either, unless all humans have access to the data in a form they can interpret it. More than once I've watched data be presented as solid proof that something is being done right, when the data being used is selective to the message the presenter wants to craft, but is accepted without question or debate because it involves "hard numbers". Tyson's thought-provoking book reminds me that two things are universal for me as an individual - treat others as you would want to be treated, and that the wise individual always has more questions than answers. Read this book if you want to be challenged on the way you think, or to be reminded that it's worth the effort to look at things from perspectives other than your own. Way to go, Neil! A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.