Neil deGrasse Tyson's Essential Books

During a Reddit Ask Me Anything session in 2011, Neil deGrasse Tyson was asked which books he believes every intelligent person on the planet should read. Here are a few of his top picks from his response:

1. The Bible- The King James Version - Tyson recommends the Bible as a foundational text that has shaped Western culture and influenced many great works of art and literature.
2. The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy - Isaac Newton - Tyson has also praised Newton's ability to use mathematics to describe the natural world, noting that "Isaac Newton was the first person to show that nature speaks the language of mathematics." He has also pointed out that Newton's laws of motion and universal gravitation are still used today to calculate the trajectories of spacecraft and satellites.
3. On the Origin of Species- Charles Darwin - Tyson has pointed out that Darwin's ideas about evolution continue to shape scientific research today. In a 2019 interview with Forbes, he noted that "Evolution is the foundation of all of the modern biology...if you want to understand how biology works, you have to start with evolution. And Darwin was the guy who figured that out."
4. Gulliver’s Travel - Jonathan Swift - He has also spoken positively about "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift and has praised the book for its satirical and thought-provoking commentary on human nature and society. Tyson has also pointed out that "Gulliver's Travels" was written during a time of great political and social change, and that Swift's satire is directed at the power structures of his day. In a 2014 interview with Time, Tyson noted that Swift's critiques of politics, religion, and human behavior are just as relevant today as they were when the book was first published in 1726.
5. The Age of Reason- Thomas Paine - Tyson has also pointed out that "The Age of Reason" was controversial in its day, as it challenged traditional religious beliefs and advocated for a more scientific and skeptical approach to understanding the world. However, he sees Paine's ideas as an important contribution to the development of modern science and critical thinking.
6. The Wealth of Nations - Adam Smith - Similarly, in a 2014 interview with Time, Tyson briefly mentioned Smith's ideas about the division of labor and their impact on economic productivity. He noted that Smith's ideas about specialization and efficiency have been influential in the development of modern capitalism. He recognizes its importance in the development of modern economic theory and has made some comments about its ideas and concepts.
7. The Prince - Niccolo Machiavelli - In a 2014 interview with Time, Tyson briefly mentioned Machiavelli's ideas about leadership and the use of power, and noted that they have been influential in shaping political and military strategy throughout history.
8. The Art of War - Sun Tzu - In a tweet from 2018, Tyson referenced Sun Tzu's famous quote, "All warfare is based on deception," and noted that the quote has broader applications beyond military strategy. He suggested that the quote can be interpreted as a warning against deception in all forms of conflict, including political and social.