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Out There: The Science Behind Sci-Fi Film and TV Hardcover – August 22, 2023

by Ariel Waldman (Author), Phil Wheeler (Illustrator), Dr. Mae C Jemison (Foreword)

4.6 15 ratings

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Explore the science behind some of your favorite popular science fiction tropes--from escaping a black hole to riding a space elevator to the stars—in this illustrated guide from NASA advisor and host of the popular Tested podcast Offworld.

Whether it's researching new technology, theories, or possible extraterrestrial situations, the showrunners and directors of our favorite science fiction shows and films are often extending the boundaries of real science, leaving viewers and fans to wonder, "Could this really happen?"

In Out There: The Science Behind Sci-Fi Film and TV, author and filmmaker Ariel Waldman dives into the fascinating real science behind some of the most beloved space-themed science fiction tropes, from faster-than-light travel to AI ships, hypersleep, and imagining life on other planets. Each chapter dives into particular situations or scientific questions that frequently show up in science fiction pop culture. Aided by interviews with a diverse range of scientists, educators, authors, and journalists, Out There takes science fiction fans, movie geeks, and popular science lovers on a journey to the farthest depths of space, revealing how thin the gap between fiction and reality can be.

Print length

144 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Running Press Adult
Publication date

August 22, 2023
Dimensions

7.85 x 17 x 9.3 inches
ISBN-10

0762481668
ISBN-13

978-0762481668
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Waldman takes us on a delightfully extensive, obsessive’s tour of the many possibilities of life off-world. And she doesn’t confine herself to reality; Waldman is constantly probing what fictional forays into space and beyond can teach us about the present. There are not enough books like this!”
―Adam Savage, Producer & Co-Host of Mythbusters and New York Times bestselling author of Every Tool’s a Hammer

"With her wit and boundless curiosity, Ariel Waldman is a brilliant tour guide to humanity's future in space. Best of all, she explains the real-life discoveries that might make our science fictional dreams come true."―Annalee Newitz, author of The Terraformers and Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age

"How many of us have watched films set in space and wondered, 'What would an astrophysicist have to say about this?' What a treat to have Out There on hand to be able to read exactly what an astrophysicist would have to say about a film set in space! Out There is full of charming and informative interviews with astronauts, aerospace engineers, spacesuit historians, geophysicists—every imaginable human resource a hard sci-fi fan would love to have ready access to. A truly delightful resource!"
―David J. Peterson, author of The Art of Language Invention: From Horse-Lords to Dark Elves to Sand Worms, the Words Behind World-Building

“This book is for anyone who loves science fiction but can’t help sometimes asking, ‘Wait, could they really do that?’ Filled with up-to-date summaries of where the real science is at (and where it’s going), along with commentary from experts on space technology, astrophysics, aliens, and how humans would really cope out there in the great dark void, it’s a fascinating resource for curious minds.”
―Dr. Katie Mack, author of The End of Everything (Astrophysically Speaking)

A delightful collection of conversations about the role of popular science-fiction films and television in shaping our vision of space and what the future may hold . . . Most importantly, this work illustrates the importance of imagination in the pursuit of science. It’s a concise and rewarding book.
―Booklist

"The book is cleanly designed, the writing and interviews are thought-provoking and all our favourite onscreen sci-fi is discussed. Out There is essential reading for any fan of science fiction."―BBC Sky at Night Magazine

About the Author

Ariel Waldman creates imaginative projects that explore the world below our feet and beyond our atmosphere. She is the author of What’s It Like in Space?: Stories from Astronauts Who’ve Been There and hosted and produced the show Offworld, which explored all things space exploration and pop culture. As an Antarctic explorer, Ariel embarks on expeditions to film life under the ice, which became the subject of her TED Talk. She is a National Geographic Explorer and a consultant to the Science & Entertainment Exchange.
Previously, Ariel has served as the advisory chair to NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program and the co-author of a congressionally requested National Academy of Sciences’ report on the future of human spaceflight. An art school graduate who pivoted to science, she was recognized by the Obama White House as a Champion of Change in citizen science. When not in Antarctica, she lives in San Francisco.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press Adult (August 22, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762481668
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762481668
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.85 x 17 x 9.3 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #44,495 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #30 in TV Shows
- #99 in Art of Film & Video
- #107 in Science Fiction & Fantasy Movies

Customer Reviews:
4.6 15 ratings

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Ariel Waldman

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Ariel Waldman creates imaginative projects that explore the world below our feet and beyond our atmosphere.

She is the author of "What’s It Like in Space?: Stories from Astronauts Who’ve Been There" and hosted and produced the show Offworld that explored all things space exploration and pop culture. As an Antarctic explorer, Ariel embarks on expeditions to film life under the ice, which became the subject of her TED Talk. She is a National Geographic Explorer and a consultant to the Science & Entertainment Exchange.

Previously, Ariel has served as the advisory chair to NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program and the co-author of a congressionally-requested National Academy of Sciences’ report on the future of human spaceflight. An art school graduate who pivoted to science, she was recognized by the Obama White House as a Champion of Change in citizen science. When not in Antarctica, she lives in San Francisco.

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15 global ratings

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Gretared

Fun and informative

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book goes way beyond. Typical examples from your favorite shows. It really breaks down what science informed and has been informed by popular media. Ariel is a fantastic author who can bring concepts to life, interview fascinating people, and have fun along the way

3 people found this helpful

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Emily B.

Interesting coffee table book!

Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

This is a really lovely, thoughtful compilation, paired with beautiful design and illustration. Highly recommend!

Helpful

neoregelia

Entertaining and Informative

Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2023

I've really been enjoying just picking this book up and reading whichever new chapter sounds interesting that night. My favorite parts of this book are the interviews, and especially the chapters on cloning and communication with alien life. This book reads easily and is informative without being dry or dense, and the tie-in to sci-fi, tv, film (and books) makes it extremely approachable. This is a book I'd like to gift my niece when she's a little older. I appreciate that while this book makes reality-based points about some aspects of sci-fi entertainment it doesn't put down or belittle creative entertainment- just uses it as a jumping off point for discussion of the latest science.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

LilyS

Fun and Fascinating!

Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023

I've been a fan of Ariel Waldman's work for a while now and am so excited to be digging into this book. She has such a talent for communicating science-y things in a digestible way and for bringing a truly contagious excitement and curiosity to her deep dives.

As an avid watcher of sci-fi, especially from a societal/human perspective, this book helps me think about humanity and the future in new ways. And to feel awe at our collective imaginations.

3 people found this helpful

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Lisa

Disappointed. Nothing much here.

Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2023

Verified Purchase

There's nothing insightful or new in this book. Not even any cool pictures or illustrations. A few comments on things like space suits and cloning which boil down to, "yeah we might need that just like they did in '2001'.". Read through it in an evening.

2 people found this helpful

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Tom Coates

Involving and interesting book about big sci-fi ideas

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023

I got this as a preview copy, and I’m genuinely impressed by it. Rather than just being a list of sci-fi concepts with trite opinions, Ariel Waldman takes the time to interview actual experts. More interested in opening up questions than opening up answers it would be a great gift to anyone who loves their sci-fi but wants ago stretch themselves a little bit to find out how much they correspond with reality.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ben Ward

A delightful guide between fiction and possibility

Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023

A fascinating concept, great subjects and interviewees, and the book is beautifully presented with illustrations between each interview.

3 people found this helpful

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