Cosmic Bullsh*t: A Guide to the Galaxy's Worst Life Hacks

by Chris Ferrie

Your hilarious guide to what's real (and what's not) in our vast, beautiful (and terrifying) universe

Embark on a cosmic journey through Cosmic Bullsh* A Guide to the Galaxy's Worst Life Hacks and uncover the real science behind some of the greatest lies society loves to tell us! Apologies to everyone who makes major life decisions based on their newspaper horoscope, but astrology isn't real and stars and planets don't give a sh*t about us. Planning a vacation to Roswell to finally discover the truth about aliens that the government has been hiding? Bad news—aliens were never here, and they aren't coming, either. Put on your myth-busting goggles and dig into Cosmic Bullsh*t for a nice, healthy dose of fascinating facts to cure the misinformation sickness so many of us are suffering from. Quantum physicist and bestselling science author Chris Ferrie

Why creation myths are bullsh*t and why humans have loved them for millennia anywayThe misconceptions surrounding extraterrestrial life and why little green men aren't knocking on our door (spoiler it's not because they're shy)The paradoxes and pitfalls of time travelHow to brace yourself for the ultimate cosmic finale as we contemplate the fate of the universeAnd much more!With Cosmic Bullsh*t, you'll laugh, you'll learn, and you'll never look at the universe the same way again. So buckle up, fellow space travelers, and prepare to have your minds blown by the weirdest, wildest, and most wondrous aspects of the cosmos.

Genres: Science, Humor, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Space, Physics, Comedy

224 pages, Paperback

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

I am Chris Ferrie, father of four and happy husband. My day job is academic research where I follow my curiosity through the word of quantum physics. My passion for communicating science has led from the most esoteric topics of mathematical physics to more recently writing children’s books.

Reviews

[Aquila · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first, I thought I'd mostly be getting a book that poked fun at horoscopes and other prophetic nonsense, but in reading Cosmic Bullsh*t, I got so much more!

This brilliant book beautifully weaves together history, science, and humor. Ferrie takes us all the way from origin myths of our planet and the universe around us to some of the potential ends that might be in store for us.

We learn a little bit about everything in space, from black holes to wormholes and aliens to asteroids. Plus everything in our own neck of the universal neighborhood on earth from viruses to volcanoes and nuclear warfare to artificial intelligence.

With plenty of references from Sheldon to Schwarzenegger and Jurassic Park to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, I had an absolute blast learning about the possible end of days.

Ferrie also does a spectacular job of making difficult to understand topics easy to grasp. I've read enough books about the potential ends of our universe to know!

In the spirit of full disclosure, I received Cosmic Bullsh*t by Chris Ferrie from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tom Donaghey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cosmic Bullshit (2025) by Chris Ferrie.
I’d never heard of the author before getting this book through the Goodreads program, but I am glad to know his book now. Rather short with only five chapters running about forty pages each, I found it quite the interesting read. For me, Professor Ferrie detailed several topics which I have long held as being bullsh** (never know when the kiddies might be reading this, or worse, a fundamentalist pinhead), but he walked me through and made cognitive responses to the questions of astrology and aliens, time travel and two others. In pretty simple terms he explains how so many people can be so wrong, while thinking they are right.
He cites many different sources for the information he provides, but the arguments (or statements of fact) are simply a dilation of logic skimming the “flesh” off these mistakenly held beliefs. And keep in mind, these are deeply held beliefs by many, many people. This book will do nothing to turn them from their beliefs. First, not one of them would even think to read the book. Second, if one did, they would spout some non-science nonsense for why the truth isn’t the truth and just bottle down the road lined with good intentions.
I think this was written for the hope of humanity, that some people are driven to seek the reality of the Universe and our place in it. Funny, infuriating and thought provoking, this is a nice guide to a clearer understanding both the Cosmos and ourselves.
And this is just one of several book (Assistant) Professor Ferrie has written. Now I have to get the others.

[Logan Kedzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

You ever want to do K and watch NTD? I sure do not. But if you do, read this book!

Cosmic Bullshit, as a sequel to Quantum Bullshit, surveys different psudo-, anit-, and unscientific thinking aiming to put it into scientific context. This includes creation myths, astrology, aliens and alien abductions, time travel, and doomsday scenarios. The parity of creation to destruction is good structural conceit. The other choices feel somewhat arbitrary. The theme is for universe-y stuff, but the forms, and the problems with the forms, are different in nature.

The author aims for the breezy irreverence of the sweary-self help book. It lands more at undiagnosed, undermedicated neurodivergent, who is savvy enough to realize that comedy is the key to social acceptance, but lacks either the self-regulation to know when enough is enough or the self-assurance to trust the pause before launching into another joke. I worry about this being too mean, but I am describing myself here. Or at least who I was a few years ago, to the point this book fuels a crisis of faith in my writing and self-actualization.

Anyway, there are a lot of jokes. Most of them are not funny, but there are so many that you will find some of them funny. The flaw is that they are jokes, not humour. Imagine the difference between reading Northanger Abbey, Jane Austin's comedic masterpiece, and an e-reader version of Fahrenheit 451 where at the end of each page a seven-second clip from a Dave Chappelle's corpus would play. There is someone, I suppose, for whom that would make Bradbury, or in this instance, science writing, tolerable.

Nothing is sourced or cited, but most of it is mainstream scientific thought. This problem, arguably, is much worse with the book's targets. This review is not a defense of astrology. It is wrong and moderately silly. But the book makes no attempt at an intellectual history there. It is wrong, but there is a lack of exploration on how we got to wrong, and so both hubris and of circumspect informativeness.

It is ugliest in the creation chapter. Outside of only treating myth as proto-science, the book swings from what reads as New Atheist and into a compliant about "scientism" that goes into radical centrism. Except that this is the only move like this in the whole book, leaving the scientism concept orphaned and unclear other than suggesting that rigid thinking can come from everywhere.

Overall, it is a fine brief read if you are in the mood for this sort of thing, but that last point is key. I do not know who that would be. It seems like the kind of book that well-meaning jerks buy for their relatives to try and shake them from preconceived notions (again, if too harsh, I am criticizing myself here) but that never makes it to first down.

My thanks to the author, Chris Ferrie, for writing the book, and to the publisher, Sourcebooks, for making the ARC available to me.

[Síle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Chris Ferrie, RBmedia and NetGalley for giving me early access to this book.

I wanted to expand my horizons by picking up a “hilarious” science-themed ALC… and, well, here we are.

There’s a lot of satire woven into this one, and while that’s fine, you really have to dig to get past it. The information was interesting, sure, but the entire book felt like an extended opinion piece—Chris Ferrie really loves his own thoughts, and after a while, it was just too much.

The saving grace of this experience? Daniel Henning, the narrator. He made it bearable. Honestly, if I had been reading a physical copy instead of listening, I probably would’ve DNF’ed it.

Was it the worst? No. Would I recommend it? Ehh… depends on your tolerance for opinion-heavy science rants.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequel to Australian physicist and popular science author Chris Ferrie’s 2022 Quantum Bullsh*t, Cosmic Bullsh*t is a survey of the “deceptively profound nontruth[s]” about the universe that all-too-often distort our understanding of science and let the unscrupulous scam us.

It all comes down to stories, Ferrie argues. Humans love stories, and those stories are how we try to understand the world. But a good story isn’t necessarily a true story. The traditional mythologies and modern pop culture from which so many derive so much of our "knowledge" are compelling stories, even as they are simply wrong --- even dangerously so --- scientifically. The origins of much of bullsh*t lies in the fact that stories make us feel, and science tells us facts, and facts don’t always make us feel good.

Thus, the book begins, appropriately enough, with the “stories [that] seek to explain the origins of life, Earth, and the universe, aiming to address fundamental human questions about where we come from and how the world around us came to be.” Ferrie moves from creation myths to the theory of evolution to the current understandings of the origin of the Earth and solar system and universe at large, showing how science gives us a well-founded picture of our origins without need for the mythic and the divine.

Then astrology finds itself in the crosshairs, explaining how and why it is not science. Astrology once was science, of course, and its study laid the foundations for actual science, but at this point it’s just bunk. Yet it has been stubbornly resistant to debunking, because its vague generalities are uniquely immune to falsification and easy to find “truth” in.

From the “canals” of a dying Mars to Area 51, aliens are a modern obsession, the modern inheritors of tales of the Greek gods, flying saucers abduct hapless humans for anal probing supplanting Zeus coming to earth to impregnate hapless mortals. But much like Greek gods and their amorous adventures aren’t real, neither are Gray Men and their invasive medical devices. Alien life, if it does exist, will probably never come a-calling due to the distances and physical constraints.

Time travel is a seductive and persistent idea. Who isn’t curious to know "true" history, or, more poignantly, longs to fix the mistakes and disappointments of the past? But, as commonly conceived (with DeLoreans and wormholes and such), it just isn’t a thing. It’s just full of too many paradoxes and hypothetical, and probably impossible, components to ever work. We’ll have to content ourselves with boring old “time travel” into the future.

Then we come to The End. Of Everything, not just the book. There are many options! Eventually, the Sun expands and cooks the oceans, then takes out whatever is left of Earth in its death throes. In the even more distant future, we have the still-uncertain fate of the universe (will it rip apart, cool down to nothing, or contract back to a point?) to “look forward” to. But the far and away most likely avenue for human extinction: we do it to ourselves via AI, nuclear war, climate change, or pandemics.

The general tone of humor is mostly welcome, in contrast to the drier tone traditional to popular science, but the constant deluge of quips can occasionally grow tiring. A little editing and joke punch-up, to make them flow more with the main content instead of seeming, as they occasionally do, shoehorned in to keep up the foul-mouthed, irreverent style would have been welcome. Ten percent, maybe, edited out would make for a tighter and more flowing work.

Also, I detected an edge of meanness at times, barbs of contempt for the public. Now, far be it from me to insist on the wisdom and sense of humanity writ-large in these ludicrous times, but contempt leaves a bitter taste. Yet at other times, Ferrie is quite understanding and generous. We all contain multitudes, I suppose.

An amusing, succinct --- and at times surprisingly poetic --- account of what we misunderstand about the universe and our relationship with it, Cosmic Bullsh*t is ultimately a celebration of humanity and our fragile moment of life, a call to cherish simple existence “before the curtain falls, [raising] a glass not to forgotten gods or hollow hopes, but to the fierce, flickering flame of being itself, burning a path to oblivion.” Highly recommended.

[Tessa {bleeds glitter} · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I may have fallen pray to the German publisher going: Why don't we change the Name to "Cosmic Bullshit: Why the universe doesn't give a fuck about us" (translation by me). Which is a brilliant name, one I couldn't walk past and I paid 20 fucking Euro for a softcover(!) for and am mildly pissed at, because I kept wondering why they named the book like that, when it's not at all about that!! Turns out the English name is pretty spot on and definitely wouldn't have piqued my interest as much.
It's still mostly an interesting and definitely funny book to read, but the very, very long rant about Astrology and other pseudo-sciences didn't really fit what I was expecting to read...
So shame in the German publisher and shame on me for buying this full price.
However, there's also a good bit of hope to be found in the parts about climate change, which I very much appreciate. There's also a good bit of snark, especially at religious doctrine, which is also right up my alley.
For my German readers, here are a few quotes I like. For the rest of you, sorry, there's no German version added yet, so...

"Herkömmliche Schöpfungsmythen stellen Menschen in den Mittelpunkt der Geschichte. Dieses Vorgehen hat einen naheliegenden Reiz, wenn man irgendetwas darüber weiß, wie Menschen ticken und was aus ihrer Sicht eine fesselnde Erzählung ausmacht."

"Dieses gemeinsame Unterhaltungserlebnis stärkte den sozialen Zusammenhalt, da es die Bevölkerung durch ein gemeinsames Repertoire an Symbolen und Erzählungen einte. Aber auch wenn das vielleicht idyllisch klingt, dürfen wir darüber nicht die wahren Bösewichte der Geschichte vergessen: Die Politiker. Die Herrschenden benutzten Schöpfungsmythen, um die soziale Ordnung zu zementieren und ihre Herrschaft zu rechtfertigen, indem sie sich oft auf göttliche Gunst oder Abstammung beriefen."

"Sie dürfen keine Angst haben. Angst ist die ultimative Kapitulationserklärung. Sie ist der Weg in die Stagnation, der abschüssige Pfad, der uns selbst zu einer Maschine werden lässt, die die Welt zerstört, den Zerfall durch das Verbrennen nützlicher Energie beschleunigt. Stattdessen ertränken wir die Angst in den kalten, harten Fakten der Wissenschaft und der Logik. Wir lachen dem Vergessen ins Gesicht, aber nicht mit wahnhafter Hysterie, sondern mit einem trockenen, ironischen Riechern, das von Akzeptanz herrührt."

[Carol Kean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aussies are hilarious. Every Australian author I ever read lived up to this stereotype: witty, quirky, saucy, fresh, original, full of the unexpected. But not full of themselves. That would rob their humor of its self-effacing charm and humility. So... Chris Ferrie! Handsome author photo. Dude. Father of adorable little kids. Physicist! I love people with math brains. (I married one!) Therefore, I'm gonna love this book. Right?

Wrong.

Humor in the right doses, in the right places, for relevant reasons: is this something they can teach comedians? Is this guy even trained in the art of comedy?

To be fair, many readers will love the version of the Creation story as narrated by the Instagram cat: "At start, no has lyte. An Ceiling Cat sayz, i can haz lite? an lite wuz."

Sorry, I'm not one of those readers.

First of all let me say this book contains a lot of science, and that's good.

Trouble is, most of it is science I've read before in other books, minus the distraction of endless jokes that intrude into the narrative and make me back up, re-read the sentence, and imagine this guy is a blast, a bona fide barrel of fun at the end of the work day with a pitcher of beer during Happy Hour, but in print, not so much.

Astrology, alien abductions, time travel, climate change, the meaning of life (which is "to perpetuate information"): all these, and more, get space in this book. Finding "life hacks" to help us live long and prosper while avoiding the pitfalls of delusional beliefs: not so much.

If one line captures the mood and tone of this book, I'd choose this one:

"We may be but dust, but dammit, we tried. So, take a quiet moment before the curtain falls and raise a glass, not to forgotten gods of hollow hopes, but to the fierce, flickering flame of being itself, burning a path to oblivion."

Cheers!
(Raising my gluten-free beer to the gods and all the authors who've invented them)

[Beatrice Tibaldini · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Cosmic Bullsh*t* presents itself as an irreverent read that targets the numerous pseudoscientific theories circulating in the mainstream, from the more innocuous and pop-culture ones to the more dangerous. Ferrie, with his signature style, turns science into a demolition tool against misinformation, using comedy and sarcasm to dismantle misconceptions surrounding astronomy, physics, and cosmological sciences. His approach combines the seriousness of science with the lightness of humor, acting as a "scientific investigator" who not only informs but educates in a stimulating and engaging manner.

He tackles fascinating topics such as the Big Bang, black holes, relativity, and modern cosmological theories, but does so in a way that allows even less experienced readers to grasp abstract concepts without feeling overwhelmed. The real challenge, however, lies in how he manages to maintain a sarcastic and biting tone without ever losing sight of the scientific reliability of his explanations. Each chapter of the book is, in fact, a lesson in science that not only brings a smile but also prompts reflection on the fairness of scientific rigor compared to the urge to believe in easy and irrational solutions.

Ferrie demonstrates a unique mastery in using humor as an educational tool. The sharp-witted jokes, wordplay, and absurd examples are not just devices for making the reader laugh but also serve to simplify difficult concepts. His ability to combine social criticism with scientific explanation makes him a brilliant storyteller, able to hook the reader’s curiosity and keep it alive throughout the read. The text appeals to a very broad audience, thanks to its accessible writing, and is especially aimed at those who are curious about science without having an in-depth background in it.

[Rachael Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of nonfiction book I love diving into. I love learning a about scientific thoughts , the cosmos, creation theory, and the like, and this book delivers each of those topics in a humorous way while still leaving a lingering chuckle behind.

Since this is nonfiction, there's no story for me to truly focus on beyond my own thoughts surrounding such topics as creation myths. My personal background is in literature with a focus on epic poetry, so my knowledge of myths and legends is fairly extensive. However, I loved his perspective on how and why most (if not all) of them are crap and why they don't make a great deal of sense, especially when thinking in scientific terms as well.

I'm a bit bummed aliens aren't coming, but I suppose that, too, makes a great deal of sense when put into a book such as this. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not swayed one way or the other in all honesty. He simply makes a decent argument for what he thinks or feels is the most logical outcome to him. I read a few other reviews that Ferrie is trying to convince the reader or argue in support of certain points in this book. But, I feel when I pick up a book like this, I am in for a humorous ride for what this person thinks and offers options of "what if" or the like so we start to think more for ourselves. we do not have to believe or disbelieve anything, and since he does not do any citing of sources, i do not feel as though he is writing a persuasive book but rather just informative and humorous.

I just found this book fun and informative. It wasn't too long winded and didn't seem to take itself too seriously. I think I may go out and find more from this writer to see what other chuckles I can get.

[Amanda Kerschen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cosmic Bullsh*t: A Guide to the Galaxy's Worst Life Hacks by Chris Ferrie, narrated by Daniel Henning, is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys a combination of informative science, snark, and skepticism. The author takes readers on a fun journey through a variety of widely believed but completely nonsensical theories and ideas, such as astrology, conspiracy theories, and the search for aliens. Ferrie dives into the history behind these topics and then skillfully debunks them using logic and facts. He does all of this in a way that is both educational and highly entertaining, making even the most complex ideas feel accessible.

What really stands out about this book is Ferrie’s ability to mix humor with science in a way that keeps the pace lively. The book is filled with in-text asides, jokes, and playful commentary that help lighten the mood while providing factual debunking. He even makes a topic as grim as the heat death of the universe feel amusing! This book is an enjoyable read for anyone who appreciates science and wants to approach popular myths and misconceptions with a critical eye. I highly recommend it, especially for those who have a strong belief in science. Conspiracy theory crackpots need not bother. I would rate it 5 out of 5 stars, and it is definitely a must-read for anyone with a healthy sense of skepticism. I received an advanced listener copy from NetGalley and Tantor Audio.

[Ryan Boissonneault · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tour through the history of delusional thinking about the cosmos. While the book is light on actually debunking the claims of creationism, astrology, alien abductions, the end times, and time travel—which was a bit of a disappointment, to be honest—the author does a decent job of presenting the actual science and noting the incongruence between reality and these persistently false beliefs.

For example, instead of reviewing empirical studies that show how horoscopes can be easily applied to any of the “signs,” the author instead reviews the science of astrophysics as a means to undermine the entire idea of astrology itself.

I’m sure there’s an audience for this, but to be honest, books like Michael Shermer’s—which review actual experiments and explore more deeply the psychology of weird beliefs—are to me far more interesting than brief descriptions of fields of science I’m already familiar with, with attempts at humor that mostly miss (although there are a few jokes that hit).

So, take it for what it is. While this is nothing groundbreaking, the book is a quick, entertaining review of basic science and a reminder of how scientific illiteracy keeps idiotic ideas alive.

[Neve · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are listening to a book. It has an author. He is an Aquarius. If that seems like relevant information to you, you have chosen the right book, because that fact is actually irrelevant bullshit. Worse, it’s Cosmic bullshit.”

Straight off the bat, I have to warn those who are easily offended, maybe this isn't for you. This entire book is a-beginners-guide-to-the-true-science-of-sociology lesson with that experienced, fed up professor who just can't help getting a few digs in at the current state of humanity.
All of which guarantee appreciative laughs from the right audience. I found it both entertaining and appropriately informative. No matter your understanding of cosmic threads/topics/professions, each subject is approached in a clear format with lots of modern references.
I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative and plan to pick up the predecessor to this book.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this book.
[Please note: I don't review with star ratings so I give each author and book 5 stars for the creativity, effort and energy alone that goes into writing and publishing each book. Stars are a commendation of art]

[Pauline Stout · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not gonna lie, I’m deeply conflicted about this book. I both like and dislike it at the same time.

I really like the science of this book. When it’s focused on debunking pseudoscience and straight up lies about science it’s deeply interesting. That was my favorite part of the book by far. However in order to listen to the fascinating science bits of the book you (I to be more specific) had to struggle through some of the most deeply unfunny “jokes” I’ve read in a book in a while. I don’t know who told the author that he was hilarious but they lied to him.

I think I do recommend this for the science parts of this at least. If you’re willing to struggle bus your way through the “humor” to get to those parts that is. The various subjects are well researched and written about. And heck humor is subjective so even though I thought my eyes were gonna pop out of my head with how hard I rolled my eyes at some of the jokes, I acknowledge that some wrong people might find this funny. Bounced between giving this a 3 and a 3 for basically this entire book but I’ve decided the science bits I loved are good enough to have this land at a 3.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

As you can tell from the title, this book discusses some pseudoscience topics in demeaning ways. Mythology, religion, astrology, alien visits, time travel, and dystopian end time scenarios are all reviewed from a scientific perspective and found wanting. The humor interspersed within the science feels rather forced, more like reading off a cue card than a genuine human feeling.

I’m not sure who the market for this book will be. If you believe in these things, you wouldn’t ever select this book to read. So maybe, the author is preaching to the converted. If your views coincide with the author, this book may be a perfect fit for you. Personally, even though most of the viewpoints meshed with my own, I still found the humor not that humorous and rather cruel in fact. People have spent, or are currently spending, their entire life believing wholeheartedly in these things. Have a little compassion for them. 3 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an advanced review copy.

[Francis Tapon · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Cosmic Bullshit" is mixed.
I adore the book's science-based debunking of pseudoscience and informative nature, especially the audiobook narration. I enjoyed the blend of history and science.

However, the humor is overdone, the writing is redundant, and the author's opinions are too smug.

It is accessible and thought-provoking, but the jokes usually missed the mark.

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR?
It's unclear.
If you're like me, a science lover, you'll already know and agree with most of his points.
I was disappointed with the depth.

If you're a science skeptic, a creationist, or a UFO fan, you'll find his writing style petulant, demeaning, and insulting.
He scoffs at baffoons who believe scientific hogwash.

Sadly, his smug, arrogant attitude will do little to convince the people who need convincing.
Insulting the other political party or religion never converts anyone to your side.
It often does the opposite.

This book is perfect if you like to laugh at the unscientific things that people believe and enjoy someone who belittles them.

[Tanya Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For full transparency, I listened to the audiobook for this and I feel like that influenced my thoughts in the book. Not in a bad way, not at all. I’m not sure if it was just the narrator, or the speed I listened to it at, but it just felt as if there was an underlying thread of mocking, like he was secretly laughing at me, and it made it all the more fun.

This book does not take itself seriously, and that is a good thing. It presents the topics in a fun way but that doesn’t subtract from the subject matter. It mocks horoscopes, makes up its on origin myths, and even manages to bring up the Great Emu War. (Any book that throws that in the mix has to be a great one, right?)

Actually, given the amount of cheeky comments thrown at Aussies in the book, maybe both the author and narrator are actually laughing at us. But the warning was given, and I will be steering clear of both unfortunate mullet and a southern cross tattoo, should I ever get the urge for it.

[Jan Mawdesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this very quirky take on all things cosmic, Chris Ferrie peels back the many layers of mystique that has built over many years relating to such things as the cosmos, Martians, little green men and even the sacred art of astrology.
In Cosmic Bullsh*t he uses wit and knowledge, because amongst many other things, he is a Physicist and lectures on Quantum Physics as well as a very popular author of children’s books, which make him well qualified to debunk all the wonders of the universe that perhaps, are not wonders at all, just figments of people’s imagination.
If you are someone who is emotionally attached to all of the body/mind/soul beliefs, love little green men and delight in being amazed by the many incomprehensible things in life, this is not for you but if you enjoy a fact based romp through science, really want to know what is behind so many of life’s so called mysteries, get settled in for a most enjoyable voyage into Cosmic Bullsh*t.

[Yari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cosmic Bullsh*t: A Guide to the Galaxy's Worst Life Hacks by Chris Ferrie uses humor to explain the interaction of human beliefs and attempts to understand the universe with actual science and the probability of concepts of aliens, and space travel.

I was able to listen and read the book simultaneously and was able to easily transition between the two. Daniel Henning as narrator provided a great engaging pace, but I think missed it a little on the delivery of some of the more vulgar jokes and language.

Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS (non-fiction) | Sourcebooks for the opportunity to read the eARC & Tantor Audio for the opportunity to listen to the ALC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 stars
Audio Release Date: Mar 18 2025
Print Pub Date: Mar 18 2025

Tags:
@TantorAudio
@sourcebooks
# CosmicBullsht
# ChrisFerrie
# Daniel Henning
#YarisBookNook
#netgalley

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cosmic Bullsh*t: A Guide to the Galaxy's Worst Life Hacks

I liked this book!

Ferrie is a good writer and I found the topics interesting - they range from a wide variety of topics in this book, so I am sure you will find some or most of it intriguing!

I found the writing also accessible - you don't need to have a doctorate in astrophysics to understand the book!

I was actually surprised, that I didn't find it as funny as I thought it was going to be, however this is quite probably my own twisted brain and my really niche sense of comedy. I believe most people will really enjoy and find this book fun and funny!

As someone who is obviously skeptical of pseudoscience, I found this a great book!
I am happy to have been able to enjoy this book, and I think you will enjoy it too.

Check it out!

3.7/5

[Firat Fidan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Ferrie’nin “Cosmic Bullsh*t” kitabı, kuantum fizikçi kimliğini mizahla birleştirerek, yanlış bildiğimiz birçok popüler inancı bilimsel temelde çürütüyor. Kitapta, dünyanın nasıl var olduğunu, uzaylıların neden hiç var olmadığını, burçların ve yıldız haritalarının ne kadar temelsiz olduğunu, zaman yolculuğunun yalnızca bir safsata olduğunu ve dünyanın yok olacağına dair mitlerin aslında tamamen yalan olduğunu şaşkınlıkla okuyorsunuz. Yazar, temel büyük sorulara eğlenceli ama provoke edici bir üslupla yaklaşıyor; bilimi sıkıcı formüllerden çıkarıp hem sorgulatan hem de güldüren bir hale getiriyor. Özetle Cosmic Bullsh*t, bilimle mizahın buluştuğu, düşünmeyi sevenler için hem keyifli hem de ufuk açıcı. Bitirdikten sonra yüzünüze bir gerçeklik tokadı da atılıyor tabi :) (7/10)

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. As an effort to explain the cosmos, it is among the best I’ve read. Underneath the swearing, there is some great, clear information and explanations. Interestingly, Chris Ferrie doesn’t pull any punches on pseudoscience; he is merciless. And funny. Very funny. Some of the passages are so clever and well-written that I would re-read them. Occasionally Ferrie strays into a literary and philosophical tone, which he did very well. This is a great way to teach science and to communicate a message. This book is well worth reading even for people who already have a background in science. Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the advance reader copy.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The skeptic in me loved this book which debunks pseudoscience (looking at you, Astrology), “intelligent design,” UFOs, and more with actual science. And humor. It is a very fun audiobook to listen to, as the narrator does an excellent job bringing out the humorous comments and asides. I deducted 1/4 star for multiple penis jokes, but it is otherwise a very thoughtful and entertaining non-fiction book. Highly recommended.
My thanks to the author, publisher, producer, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #CosmicBullsht for review purposes.

[Amanda Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I went into Cosmic Bullshit with an open mind, but unfortunately, it didn’t work for me. While the premise seemed intriguing, the execution fell flat. The writing felt redundant, often repeating the same ideas without adding much depth. The author’s humor—heavy on sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek jokes—was overdone to the point of distraction (and honestly annoying). I wanted to give it a fair shot, but it just didn’t land for me.

[Kaylee M]

DNF at 10%

Is this YA? It seems like the kind of thing I would have read at 17 and thought myself sooooo informed.

The whole tone is flippant and the author comes across as very immature and trying waaaay too hard to be cool/edgy/hilarious. There are zero citations for anything he states yet we are supposed to take it all as accepted fact.

Skip this.

There are significantly better pop-sci books out there and many that actually hit the humour mark.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hilarious book debunks common myths in a fact-filled exploration of the real science refuting baseless beliefs. The book is smart and insightful, snarky and irreverent. I loved every minute of it. The audiobook narration was wonderful, matching the tone of the book.

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

[Laura Newsholme · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining and informative look at the various ways in which the cosmos doesn't give a sh*t about us. Lots of interesting facts packaged in an easy to understand format and while there were a few too many jokes for me, overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Roo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is absolutely a fun and wacky book with a ton of information! This book is a deep dive on creation myths and why we are so enraptured by them!

If you want to laugh and learn this book is for you!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like this author's Quantum Bullsh*t....Cosmic Bullsh*t ....is f*cking hilarious!

[Rod Van Meter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun.