The Planets

by Andrew Cohen, Brian Cox

Please Note That The Following Individual Books As Per Original ISBN and Cover Image In this Listing shall be Dispatched

The Planets by Professor Brian Cox & Andrew


Mercury, a lifeless victim of the Sun’s expanding power. Venus, once thought to be lush and fertile, now known to be trapped within a toxic and boiling atmosphere. Mars, the red planet, doomed by the loss of its atmosphere. Jupiter, twice the size of all the other planets combined, but insubstantial. Saturn, a stunning celestial beauty, the jewel of our Solar System. Uranus, the sideways planet and the first ice giant. Neptune, dark, cold and whipped by supersonic winds. Pluto, the dwarf planet, a frozen rock. Andrew Cohen and Professor Brian Cox take readers on a voyage of discovery, from the fiery heart of our Solar System, to its mysterious outer reaches. They touch on the latest discoveries that have expanded our knowledge of the planets, their moons and how they come to be.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Astronomy, Space

304 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Head of BBC Studios Science Unit

Reviews

[Celeste Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot, so much that it’s encouraged me to watch the BBC series! (Mainly to see those photos captured by the space crafts). Made me think deeply about how special life on earth is!

Losing a star because sometimes I found that the text didn’t explain concepts in a helpful order, for example I think it mentioned the unit Au from chapter 2 onwards, but only in chapter 4 it explains what an Au actually is 🤔

(And I enjoyed reading Cohen’s sections more than B.Cox🤫)

[E L K Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a brilliant journey with Andrew Cohen and Brian Cox through the solar system.
It's presented in a way that makes it a pleasure to learn and even giggle out loud. If learning more about how Planets work, why global warming is a very real thing and what Mars and other planets can teach us in that regard, this is a very good choice. You don't need any special knowledge either, just openness to learn.

[Gendou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains exactly what it says on the tin. It's a bout the planets. Kind of forgettable. Good for reading to a young person who doesn't know about the solar system yet. Not very riveting for anyone else.

[Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book, if I’m honest, because of Brian Cox. But I stayed, surprisingly, because of Andrew Cohen.

As the title suggests, it’s about the planets in our corner of the universe: their moons, their quirks, their mysteries, and their wonders. I learned a great deal about each one. At times I had to flip back a few pages to catch up, but overall the experience was a joy. The science never felt overwhelming, the writing flows less like a textbook and more like an epic story.

The only real disappointment for me came towards the end of Cox’s section. His choice of words jarred, especially this line: “we burn too bright for this world alone.” Why must we colonise other planets? We’ve managed to damage this one in scarcely a century. Why not turn our brilliance towards caring for the Earth, rather than rushing to repeat our mistakes elsewhere? Why must “new land” always be something to be colonised (his word, not mine)? Why can’t we simply marvel at the universe, to wonder without the urge to conquer and destroy?

I almost gave up around page 123, but I’m very glad I didn’t. Cohen’s writing, in my view, captures the awe without the greed. He shows that it’s possible to celebrate the vastness of the cosmos without reducing it to a conquest.

[David Grogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by space. Over the last few months, I've been listening to books trying to learn more about how the universe came about and why it is the way it is. I started with A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, but it was too complex. Then, I listened to The Cosmos by Carl Sagan, but it wasn't detailed enough. Finally, I listened to The Planets by Andrew Cohen and Professor Brian Cox, and it was just right. In fact, it was perfect.

The Planets traces the history of the sun and the eight planets in our solar system, as well as the dwarf planets like Pluto in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. Calling upon the exploratory missions to the planets through the date of the book's publication in 2021, it paints of picture of how the planets were created, what they look like today, and why they are the way they are. I was particularly intrigued by the story of Jupiter, whose influence on the solar system is only eclipsed by that of the sun. 😁
 
Not only do I recommend you read The Planets if you are interested in space, but I also intend to do so again.

[Peter K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book , both accessible and comprehensive in its explanations and storytelling of how the solar system developed.

Astronomy is a life long interest for me and I learned much from this book and appreciated the flow and style of the work.

To learn just how interconnected the planets are and just how influential Jupiter was in determining which planets continued to develop and which were stalled was fascinating.

I loved the descriptions of the journeys of the Mariner, Voyager and New Horizons probes, just what they discovered and how those projects improved our understanding of the deeper recesses of the solar system

[Julianna Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book as an attempt to continue cramming knowledge about astronomy into my brain in advance of my final astronomy exam back in the fall of 2023, and I finished it in early 2024. I quite enjoyed this book and found it to be an extremely helpful, detailed, interesting little tour of the worlds in our solar system; I already knew a good deal of the content in here, but the presentation of it made it more engaging. I have just one major critique: the bit about why Neptune is so blue is actually wrong. (It’s not actually bright blue—it’s a very similar shade to Uranus. Here’s a video explanation of a paper about that. https://youtu.be/zKSWcFCMrGU?si=DW3i4... )

[Saku Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very inspiring book on the many scientific vessels we -humans have sent out and of what we know of our own solar system. Read by Samuel West. His voice and way of reading is pleasing and gives you time to contemplate the information you receive from every sentence. Not being English makes me want to listen to it again, while reading the book at the same time.
It should of course be updated as we learn more about the planets, but for now it should be a good introduction to anyone interested in our “home solar system”.

[shannelizz · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was written in a way that was super easy for someone not well versed in the topic to read and all the complicated science behind aspects of the planets and the solar system was worded in a easy to understand way. I felt like I learnt a lot from the book, which was the whole reason why I wanted to read it in the first place. The illustrations really helped me to understand the topic as well, I am quite the visual learner so it helped me understand easier. I really enjoyed it from start to finish!

[Edwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow. This had me tearing up at multiple points - Cohen has a brilliant grasp on the poetry of our solar system, and the things we've done to explore it. I learned so many interesting things, and found enjoyment still reading parts I already knew just for how it was written. An absolutely superb book except for Brian Cox's contribution which was earnestly just. Dry and pretentious and a little bit pathetic. Sorry mate. Andrew Cohen ROCKS though

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only read Jupiter chapter but this was super engaging. I especially appreciated how the authors were able to communicate the breadth of their knowledge with a lack of complicated jargon and terminology that other books have left me feeling stupid. The accessibility of astronomy through word-choice is so important and can be a wonderful gateway for people simply fascinated or interested in astronomy. It definitely resparked my childhood interest in the all things outer space 🌌

[Tash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A companion book to the BBC documentary. It explores the Solar System, describing the formation of each planet and its characteristics (such as temperature, the presence of water and organic compounds, atmosphere, geology, gravity and spin). I enjoyed reading about the dual nature of Jupiter as a destructor and protector against asteroids. The book investigates the various mission to planets and their moons, including Voyager and Cassini, and the incredible information that these have provided. There was good coverage of the possible habitability of some of the moons, especially in the future once the sun expands. I enjoyed the writing style and photographs enhanced my understanding of the planets.

[Donna Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dramatic journey that takes you through our solar system . Also learnt why Pluto isn’t a planet ,there are strict criteria rules ! The vastness of the universe is hard to comprehend but makes you realise how precious our Earth is and why more than ever we need to look after our blue planet .

[Ainsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in an accessible way for even the least informed on the subject, this book was both informative and thought-provoking. Some of the facts were absolutely astonishing. It certainly makes you think about our place in this universe and what we can achieve when people work together.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good as audible listen - very well read and used the hardback for the pictures which are stunning. Paperback doesnt have the pics so don't buy. Been meaning to read for ages so pleased to have read it at last

[Katya Khannanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative, and more accessible than the typical astrophysics book. Nice read but occasionally difficult to get through the many details of the missions to the planets etc. Overall good introduction to the planets and puts a lot of things into perspective about our universe.

[elliot · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love the planets and learning about them, if you want to be absorbed in knowledge then read this book

[Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. Brought back my love for astronomy. It is written in a style that blends scientific language with poetic musing, which I adored. Massively recommend.

[Sj Banham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this while I work out. It is narrated by the most awesome voice of Samuel West. I hadn't realised this before I bought it, so it was a very happy surprise.

I enjoy the content hugely but Cohen's style of writing includes humour and sarcasm within his vast knowledge of astronomy which, I find, helps my mind absorb what is being said.

Only early on in the book at the moment, so will add more when I know more. :)


Finished this at the end of January. Enjoyable, informative, and really quite helpful. Cannot say I will remember everything but it is certainly worth listening to. Recommended.

[Max Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.3