Cosmos
by Carl Sagan
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 1264)
Read in December, 2006
recommends it for:
EVERYONE
Stunning, beautiful prose, excellent description and metaphor, incredibly accessible. Its also one of those books where you get to see the author's own genius slip into the pages accidentally, every so often. This book is the book A Brief History of Time wants to be. Problem is, ABHOT is much more boring and high concept. Sagan is and ever will be the great teacher of the masses in my opinion. This book starts out simpler than ABHOT - here on earth. It begins with what you know and slowly expand...more
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Read in January, 1981
Sagan is no doubt a legend in astronomy and astrophysics.
Carl stated repeatedly that he can't fully fathom what an otherworldly being would look like because his perception of life is not only bound to a single speck in the universe but is also bound to a single strata of life (as a mammal himself.) I couldn't agree more - we are so very limited in our comprehension of the universe and the "billions and billions" of bits of information yet to be recognized as even existing. However,...more
Carl stated repeatedly that he can't fully fathom what an otherworldly being would look like because his perception of life is not only bound to a single speck in the universe but is also bound to a single strata of life (as a mammal himself.) I couldn't agree more - we are so very limited in our comprehension of the universe and the "billions and billions" of bits of information yet to be recognized as even existing. However,...more
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Read in June, 2008
Definitely the viewpoint of a scientific secular humanist (and an astronomer, to be exact) about everything he thinks is important, but a good read all the same.
His opinion of why ancient Ionian science did not take root and create a technical civilization (as did the later science of the Renaissance) is a sociological argument. He thinks that the widespread practice of slavery prevented an interest in the reduction of manual labor that is essential to the progress of technology. Possibly t...more
His opinion of why ancient Ionian science did not take root and create a technical civilization (as did the later science of the Renaissance) is a sociological argument. He thinks that the widespread practice of slavery prevented an interest in the reduction of manual labor that is essential to the progress of technology. Possibly t...more
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Read in June, 2008
Pretty great for getting you fired up about science (especially space). Sagan is great at the PBS-nature-documentary-narrator style of description. He also gives a lot of historical background for astronomical concepts. Where the book falters is in the hard facts of science: it seems to spend too much time on easy-to-understand, fundamental concepts and not nearly enough on the complicated ones. He spends a lot of time making arbitrary guesses at the nature of the universe ("Perhaps [aliens...more
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Read in July, 1985
recommends it for:
anyone with an interest in science
The best book ever written.
A masterful work encompassing the whole of human existence and the universe, with a focus on science.
Sagan discusses
- evolution,
- Kepler, astrology and acceptance of truth in spite of what outcome is desired,
- Venus and Mars, including the made-up belief of life on Mars a century ago,
- the Voyager spacecrafts' Grand Tour of the Outer Planets (a rare alignment),
- ancient Greek scientists,
- Relativity,
- atoms, elements, and how star make them,
- ...more
A masterful work encompassing the whole of human existence and the universe, with a focus on science.
Sagan discusses
- evolution,
- Kepler, astrology and acceptance of truth in spite of what outcome is desired,
- Venus and Mars, including the made-up belief of life on Mars a century ago,
- the Voyager spacecrafts' Grand Tour of the Outer Planets (a rare alignment),
- ancient Greek scientists,
- Relativity,
- atoms, elements, and how star make them,
- ...more
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Read in April, 1999
recommends it for:
Sagan fans, viewers of the Cosmos TV series, non-theists
It’s wonderful to be free of religion. Nevertheless, it’s so ingrained I must admit it took more than a decade to deprogram religion out of my brain. Although most religionists seem to understand the concept of future eternity without end, they still think that there had to be some sort of “beginning” and thus cling to the idea of “God” creating the universe. Carl Sagan has helped me to accept the concept that there is neither a beginning nor an end. “Eternity” moves in both dire...more
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Read in January, 1983
recommends it for:
everyone!
While the PBS series is dated now in its special effects, the ability of Sagan to inspire the wonderment of science and our connection with the universe is unparalleled to this day. I recommend the hardback edition, which has excellent photographs and other images.
I read somewhere that Cosmos has sold more books in foreign languages than any book other than the Bible. I hope this is true. It is a book that everyone should read, and if you can watch the series, do so! (just accept the g...more
I read somewhere that Cosmos has sold more books in foreign languages than any book other than the Bible. I hope this is true. It is a book that everyone should read, and if you can watch the series, do so! (just accept the g...more
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Read in January, 2007
For a book in such a narrow field (well, compared to ordinary fiction) this is such a friendly read. If you want to dig deeper into the mathematics or history you've got a good platform to jump from, yet Cosmos can also leave you awfully satisfied.
The chapters are their own beasts, they can stand alone as their own (dare I say it) pericopes. Hmm, much like episodes... like in a TV special... heyyy.
Sometimes the scientific detail is combersome. The historical information makes up for it. ...more
The chapters are their own beasts, they can stand alone as their own (dare I say it) pericopes. Hmm, much like episodes... like in a TV special... heyyy.
Sometimes the scientific detail is combersome. The historical information makes up for it. ...more
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recommends it for:
anyone
I think I could categorize this book as "life-changing" for me. I think the reason I am interested in subjects such as classics and anthropology can be traced to this book! It's a very broad look at the history of the universe and the history of science, so even though it is a good 20+ years old, most of it still stands. Sagan writes in an engaging and accessible manner. This is definitely a great book for people who are interested in science, but a little afraid to approach a book...more
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recommends it for:
EVERYONE
This is an amazing and inspired book. One of three books I have purchased numerous times only to give away to someone whom I thought could appreciate both the concepts presented, but the sheer poetry of Sagan's words. As close to a bible as I have ever owned, the brilliance and mystery of our existence, the smallness and yet complete miraculousness of being is captured in these pages. Even if the advanced concepts of science may be beyond some readers, I urge you not to be frustrated and to ...more
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
other science nerds
I've read bits and pieces, as I do not have the time right now to read cover to cover.
There are excellent pictures for all of those visual learners out there.
And anyone without a strong background in physics may enjoy this book, as Sagan details even the most basic of information.
What I find particularly interesting is the section on the Drake Equation, which is a calculation as to the probability of extra-terrestrial life elsewhere in the universe.
I LOVE SCIENCE!!!! lol.
There are excellent pictures for all of those visual learners out there.
And anyone without a strong background in physics may enjoy this book, as Sagan details even the most basic of information.
What I find particularly interesting is the section on the Drake Equation, which is a calculation as to the probability of extra-terrestrial life elsewhere in the universe.
I LOVE SCIENCE!!!! lol.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Everyone
Carl Sagan is the science teacher I never had, and the one I wish I did have. This is a spectacular and fascinating book. Sagan writes of extraordinary things with a complete lack of pretension.
If any of my science classes had ever put things on such a grand and interesting scale I dare say I would have been much more interested in Chemistry and Physics and Geometry and Calculus and the like.
I would recommend this to anyone who has ever looked up into the sky and wondered.
If any of my science classes had ever put things on such a grand and interesting scale I dare say I would have been much more interested in Chemistry and Physics and Geometry and Calculus and the like.
I would recommend this to anyone who has ever looked up into the sky and wondered.
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Read in January, 1989
recommends it for:
No One
This book was my bible when I was an enemy of God. As a stubbornly devout atheist, this was the book I turned to for justification of my proud and arrogant rejection of my Creator. Instead of reading this pile of conjecture, I recommend reading the Holy Bible (then get on your knees and repent before the holy God who gave you life and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for your lawlessness and sin). :-)
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7 comments
Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
EVERYONE :)
This book tried to answer the most basic question of humanity: who we are, and where we come from. Sagan wasn't trying to be scientific, but i think that's what's so great about him, he could share his knowledge on a complicated material in a very simple way. This really show his proficiency in this topic.
As human being living in this Galaxy, this book really reminds me of how small, yet meaningful we are..
As human being living in this Galaxy, this book really reminds me of how small, yet meaningful we are..
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Read in January, 1981
recommended to Maureen by:
PBSrecommends it for: everyone
Carl Sagan was one of the most engaging science writers who ever lived. I bought this book when it was published, and while many other books have come and gone, this one has remained a keeper. Sagan writes about astronomy and the life science with such ebullience that the reader is swept up and carried away into the far reaches of what were then frontiers of science,
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Read in January, 1986
Probably one of the most improtant books I ever read because it unified so many beautiful things across such an enormous expanse of time that I found solace and peace with my place in the universe. Sagan, a controversial figure to be sure, nevertheless has a way with language that makes one feel good to be human, that there is much hope for us. A lovely read!
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Read in August, 2003
Read and be amazed at how Carl Sagan reveals in layman's terms the intrinsic beauty of our galaxy and its truly vast proportions compared to what we, the human race, have explored. Reading this book helped me realize that I wanted to be an aero engineer; that I wanted to help further humanity's knowledge of the unknown by providing a means to explore it.
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My dad has a gorgeous hardback of this book. I remember that as a kid I would flip through those incredible color plates over and over and over again. And while I am to this day in awe of those pictures, I do not believe that I have ever actually read this one cover-to-cover. Just bits and pieces here and there, excerpts, captions, sidebars...
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when i was 7 or 8, my dad told me that the sun would die one day and then i asked him what would happen to us? "oh, don't worry, we will be long dead by then!"
uhhm, ok. No worries. Anyhow, he had this book laying around at the time and i would look at pictures. I later read it and recommend to anyone mildy interested in earth and universe.
uhhm, ok. No worries. Anyhow, he had this book laying around at the time and i would look at pictures. I later read it and recommend to anyone mildy interested in earth and universe.
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Read in January, 2007
Gorgeously written, a book about everything. It's not just about astronomy; it's about biology, anthropology, geology, history, evolution, life. You'd think it'd be a boring science textbook, but it puts scientific matters in the context of life in general. An inspiring, thoughful, loving look at the universe as we know it.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.35 (989 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 4.36 (798 ratings) number of reviews: 93popular shelves
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quote
""The fossil record implies trial and error, the inability to anticipate the future, features inconsistent with a Great Designer (though not a Designer of a more remote and indirect temperment.)"
"We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.""
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