The Universe in 100 Colors: Weird and Wondrous Colors from Science and Nature

by Tyler Thrasher, Terry Mudge, Hank Green (foreword)

At the intersection of science and art, this must-have coffee table book will open your eyes to colors that you’ve never seen before.Life has had over 3 billion years to evolve here on planet Earth. During that time, we’ve developed an arsenal of senses to decipher the universe. And for the most part we have collectively rocked our senses. With our amazing ability to paint, create, decode, scan, and unravel our visual reality, it would be hard to believe that there are some things the average human can overlook. This design-forward book highlights 100 mind-blowing colors that you might otherwise live your whole life unaware of. These colors exist in the strangest of places, and serve extremely specific functions in nature, or were human-made with one goal in mind. From Cosmic Latte (the average color of the universe) to Dragon’s Blood (a tropical tree that bleeds a deep red resin with incredible medicinal potential); Sonoluminescence (a color created by sound!) to Eiengrau (the color we perceive in the absence of light, and no, it's not "pitch black"), here is the universe in living by Hank GreenA short and sweet introduction to color theory100 colors, organized in gradient order. Each entry features photos, diagrams if necessary, snappy descriptions, and easy-to-understand category symbols. Includes structural colors and colors outside the range of human visibility!Myth-busting sectionIndex, Glossary, and NotesPerfect for anyone who loves science or art, this gorgeous compendium of colors is bursting with astonishing facts and stunning photography.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Art, Photography, Nature, History

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: Love STEM-based books? Love admiring the colours of nature? Ever wonder what is ‘colour”? Here’s a fabulous addition to your TBR. Insightful, informative, mind-boggling. Loved the entire spectrum of information and hues in this book.

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Ours is a world of light, and hence, of colours. It is tough to think of colours as linked to energy, but that’s what they are. In school, we learn of the VIBGYOR spectrum, and we learn of the prism experiment that helps us scatter white light into a visible rainbow. But are sufficient light, an object, and functional eyesight enough to see all colours?

The book begins with an introductory note on the meaning of colour. (I love how it used the analogy of a music orchestra to explain how we see colours.) It includes several mind-blowing facts about colours, both visible and invisible to the human eye. (Did you know that red, yellow, and blue are NOT the primary colours of the universe?) The explanation is scientific but not too jargon-dominated.

Once the foundation of colours is set, the content moves on to what the title promises: the universe in a hundred colours. We see a hundred shades (Confession: A few of the shades appeared very similar to this human’s eye!) and learn fascinating details about them. The left-hand side contains a coloured photograph of the colour itself or some object in that precise shade. The right-hand side contains the physical composition of the colour (using a helpful symbol-based key to denote the nature of each colour) and textual insights into the shade.

Now you might wonder, as I did: how much text could be written about individual colours? Turns out, quite a lot! The explanations accompanying the colours cover an astonishing array of subjects such as history, zoology, botany, astronomy, chemistry, and even modern-day technology. Once the visible colour spectrum is exhausted, the content even covers iridescent colours (wow!) and imagined colours (went entirely above my head!)

Most of the explanation is straightforward, making it manageable for even a layperson with limited scientific knowledge to understand the more complex scientific bits. I appreciate how the content even addressed trickier issues such as Anish Kapoor's unethical behaviour in hoarding Vantablack or racism against certain cultures leading to colours named after them.

However, some of the pages did go too technical. I especially zoned out at the bits about chemical composition of various minerals. In a couple of cases, the origin of the colour’s name is from another language such as feuille morte from French (dead leaves). It would have been great if they had mentioned this language reference as well. Reading ‘dead leaves’ as the meaning makes us understand why the colour is called ‘feuille morte’. (That said, I greatly appreciate being told the correct pronunciation of mineralogist Fuchs’ last name. 😁)

No major complaints. This would be a great coffee table book for anyone interested in the topic. It is entertaining as well as enlightening. It would work better if you flip a page at random and read about the colour that pops up.

Definitely recommended. The colour photographs mean that it is better read through a physical copy.

4.25 stars.


My thanks to Sasquatch Books for providing the DRC of “The Universe in 100 Colors” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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[Angharad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Universe in 100 Colors is a beautiful exploration of the science, history, culture, and art of the visual world around us. The early part of the book begins with an easy to understand scientific explanation of things like, what is color? Afterwards, each color is given a photo and an explanation of what it is and why. The very first color in the book is Cosmic Void, the nothingness that was there in the beginning before existence. Photos range from space, fungi, insects, brain scans, gems, and so much more. I learned a lot from this book, and enjoyed the beautiful artwork. It belongs on the coffee table of anybody that loves science and art!!

Some of my favorite pages were Eigengrau, Cosmic Latte, Egyptian Blue, Venusian yellow, and Luciferin. The blurb about Cosmic Latte is going to stay with me for quite awhile.

[Natalie Strebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful! I went through it slowly, usually during my morning coffee. Some parts made my brain spin a bit and all of it was captivating. I have follow Tyler’s work for a few years now and am so proud of this gorgeous book

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent edition to all the color books out there. It has a fresh take and introduced me to new colors and concepts. This book is very science heavy which flew right over my head simply because I have zero education in science. Objectively this book is a five star but I rate based on enjoyment and I usually don't enjoy feeling stupid 😂

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: The Universe in 100 Colors by Tyler Thrasher and Terry Mudge

Rating: 5 Stars

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Universe in 100 Colors by Tyler Thrasher and Terry Mudge, and let me tell you, this book is a visual feast! At the intersection of science and art, it’s a captivating coffee table book that opened my eyes to a vibrant world of colors I never knew existed.

The authors take us on an exhilarating journey through the universe’s color palette, showcasing 100 stunning hues that are often overlooked. Over billions of years, life on Earth has created a dazzling array of colors, some of which serve specific functions in nature while others are human inventions crafted for unique purposes. From the soft beige of Cosmic Latte (the average color of the universe) to the deep crimson of Dragon’s Blood (a tropical tree with remarkable medicinal properties), this book highlights colors that are as mind-blowing as they are beautiful.

One of the things I loved most about this book is how it’s organized. The 100 colors are arranged in gradient order, making it easy to flip through and admire the stunning photography that showcases each hue. The authors cleverly include snappy descriptions alongside diagrams when necessary, which made understanding the science behind these colors a breeze. I found myself fascinated by entries like Sonoluminescence—a color produced by sound—and Eiengrau, the hue we perceive in total darkness (and no, it’s not just pitch black!).

As someone who enjoys both art and science, this book struck the perfect balance for me. Not only did it provide page after page of beautiful photographs, but it also offered fascinating facts and historical context about each color. I was pleasantly surprised to discover familiar names like Prussian Blue and Pompeian Red alongside lesser-known colors like Sonoluminescence and Astaxanthin. Each entry was a delightful nugget of knowledge that sparked my curiosity further.

Whether you're an artist seeking inspiration, a photography enthusiast who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, or simply someone looking for a stunning book for your coffee table, I can’t recommend The Universe in 100 Colors enough! It’s a book that invites you to explore, learn, and appreciate the vibrant tapestry of colors that surrounds us every day. Dive in, and prepare to be amazed!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Am Y · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was very random. As its description suggests, it's a coffee table book. It's not a "science" book per se, because it's not a title you'd pick up if your purpose was to know more about a specific science topic. It's simply a random catalogue of colours that are very subjectively deemed "weird" (many of them weren't that "weird" to me, to be honest), and given this clickbaity title ("weird and wondrous!") to make you pick this book up (this ploy worked on me, I must admit). There was nothing really special about the colours featured, except perhaps that some of them are very arguably less commonly encountered in life, or are the result of some very arguably strange/complex chemical process/reaction. The text was dry and supremely boring, written in the least engaging manner possible. The photos and colours were not in the least bit outstanding or interesting in any way to me. But perhaps I'm judging this as a science book and not the coffee table book it's meant to be. As a coffee table book, yes, it fulfils its purpose - you'll pick it up, quickly flip through it, stare a bit at the large (but very uninteresting) images, skip the text, put it back down, and immediately forget about it.

[Colette Denali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great addition to the Bedtime Booktime series of readings. Initially, Vanessa & I came across this title in the gift shop at the ROM for an exhibition on color in nature. For us, this book was a more vibrant and science-oriented counterpart too Kenya Hara's 100 Whites and Neo-prehistory: 100 Verbs (with Andrea Branzi).

At times, the text was overly-dense in terms of physics/ chemistry terminology and content, but overall, we really enjoyed it. I appreciate color much more, especially with a more expansive understanding of pigmented vs structural color and chimera colors!

Vanessa & I think we might add this to our holiday wishlist; it would be an excellent book to leave out for guests/ us to peruse.

[Cyrambo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight. As an artist, color is one of the first things that I notice, and the brighter the colors, the more interesting the object. This book gave me page after page of amazing photography showcasing a broad spectrum of colors, complete with facts and history about each one. Some were familiar like Vantablack or Pompeian Red, But then there were colors like Anthocyanin, Sonoluminescense, or Astaxanthin, all of which describe fascinating information about beautiful colors. Whether you're an artist looking for inspiration, someone who enjoys excellent photography of the natural work, or just want something interesting on your coffee table to spark discussion, I highly recommend this book!

Thank you to Netgalley, the authors, and publisher for providing an e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will make an amazing coffee-table book, and a great gift for anyone with a head for both science and a bit of art. I went into this expecting some cool arty pictures with vaguely scientific sources, and instead I learned a lot of fascinating things.

The hundred colours start from black through to the rainbow hues, mixing nature and space and the occasional very down-to-earth, mundanest of things - but, all with a great explanation of why they're included. Oh, and some gloriously creative names.

There's also a cool section at the end on 'impossible colours', with some simple optical tricks to play along with.

My full review is, as ever, up on my blog, LittleFrogScribbles

[Tawney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of us know that color can act differently and even have different primaries in different states, say pigments and light. Thrasher and Mudge explain a variety of other ways that we experience color. And they highlight 100 colors, explaining a bit about each and including interesting facts. These aren’t always what you even think of as colors – correction fluid? - but how it came to be is a good story. Other times it’s about uses or the science of the color. It can get a tiny bit technical, but overall is an easy read. I received a digital advanced copy compliments of Sasquatch Books and NetGalley.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

So interesting, so fun. Ever so occasionally a little daunting with the most science-y stuff. But if you're at all intrigued, don't let that stop you on this whip-smart whip-lash tour of science, art and history through 100 very specific colors (each about a page and a half long, at least on my phone's Kindle reader). Not sure why, but for me, the book really became astounding in the second half. Read chapter 81 about Han Purple and tell me your brain doesn't feel like a soft-boiled egg in the best way possible.

[Marianna Henson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a fun read! This book uses logic and science to focus on 100 different colors in the universe. I learned so much more than I expected. You don't have to already be science-savvy to enjoy this, plus there is a glossary of terms at the end of the book! 4 🌟

[Laura Weldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The images, book design, and succinct passages for each color are all beautifully done. This is one of those books that inspired me to say to whoever was in the room, "You've got to hear this" before reading aloud a paragraph or two about Pompeian Red, Earth Aurora Green, Yinmn Blue, or Cystoseira Tamariscifolia. Any book that amplifies how amazing our world is, is a book worth reading.

[Sarah AK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live for color and this book was a feast for my eyes and my brain. It reminded me very much of The Secret Lives of Color, but in bite-sized chunks and with more science! Fair bit of overlap, but it's been a long time since I read that so I was happy to have a refresher on a lot of these colors' histories... and an introduction to many, many more!

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovers of art, science, and history will enjoy this coffee table book that focuses on unique colors of the natural world. The book is fascinating, edifying, and visually beautiful.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Mande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating dive into rainbows, "forbidden" colors, and the history of 100 different colors - even some fun little "tests" to try and trick your brain and eyeballs. An accessible and amazing book. I can't wait to read more from Tyler Thrasher et al.

[Pandaduh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. Science meets art.

[Kay Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the authors at the SF Exploratorium book signing. Very cool guy and engaging presentation. Tyler was so brilliant and has a such a cool vision and completely unique mind for things. Terry had so many unique perspectives. Tyler signed my book and was so sweet.

The book itself is a very solid, glossy book with gorgeous photographs. I don't have much space in my apartment but I proudly display it. Was very interesting to me as a neuroscience grad student. Definitely worth buying

[ツツ]

The content is a little too simple, and the tone a little edifying, as if it’s written for the YA audience. I did learn some interesting facts, though. (So that's why the water from my attempt to germinate avocado plants turned a pinkish red. I know people use avocado as a natural dye but I assumed they use the peel. This book provided context for some of my half-knowings like this.)

1st book figured out a system for reading while lying down.
Book 3 (Hardcover) of 2025, (5 /January)

[Prateek Vasisht · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book, unique and informative and authors do a good job of making it applicable to wide audience but having good introduction at the beginning.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous!!!

[Regina Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the science of color, this was a joy to read.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and quick read about random and interesting colors found in nature and via science. Definitely for fans of The Secret Lives of Color.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t live up to the hype. I definitely expected a much higher quality print job. But the info on sometimes more obscure colors was cool and interesting.