Episode · StarTalk Radio · 2026-10-20
Books mentioned on In Theory with Janna Levin
If something is possible, has the universe tried it? Are all physical possibilities inevitable?
Neil deGrasse Tyson discussed MOBY-DICK; or, THE WHALE by Herman Melville.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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MOBY-DICK; or, THE WHALE
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville is an epic American novel that chronicles the obsessive, self-destructive quest of Captain Ahab to hunt down the giant white whale that maimed him.
Discussed“You know, Moby Dick was a bomb. Was that true? Oh my God, it bombed. In the most vicious reviews. Wow. Melville died thinking his great work. Call me Ishmael.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (5) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Plugged Lost in Space
“If you like that fact, you can find 4,999 more in Lost in Space. 5,000 facts to help navigate the universe. Lost in Space is now available wherever you get your books.”
Plugged Black Hole Survival Guide
“I'll be consulting the survival guide. That's the title of one of your books, isn't it? Yeah. Tell me that title again. You do it better than anyone. Black Hole Survival Guide.”
Passing Black hole blues
“Black Hole Survival Guide. Oh, there's the Black Hole Blues. Oh, Black Hole Blues, yes. And then you have the Black Hole Survival Guide. And I show you this. I'm ready to put you in it.”
Passing Black Hole Survival Guide
“You've written two books on it. Yes. I spent a lot of my life in that whole arena. I have to say your titles again. The Black Hole Blues. That's the best. And the Black Hole Survival Guide. Yes. Yes.”
Passing Black hole blues
“You've written two books on it. Yes. I spent a lot of my life in that whole arena. I have to say your titles again. The Black Hole Blues. That's the best. And the Black Hole Survival Guide.”