Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium
by Carl Sagan
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Read in May, 2005
This book was amazing. The author clearly defined the ridiculous nature of quantitatively perceiving worldwide relationships. As well as a number of other topics that go unseen, but act greatly on who we are as a species, as a living entity in our reality. Carl Sagan was a prominent authority in the scientific world who wrote this book up until his early death from a chronic illness. I believe it was cancer, but I would have to read it again to be sure.
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Read in January, 2007
recommends it for:
Science minded people or anyone looking for the greater philosophy of life as a whole.
Carl Sagan's last book, this manuscript shows science as a greater understanding of life and death. It addresses issues from global warming and abortion to nuclear warfare and fun with math. Sagan shows a more personal side and addresses his concerns with the world as a whole. Just as deeply moving and beautiful as it is full of funny and charming antidotes.
Very relevant to modern US "hot topics" despite being written over a decade ago.
Very relevant to modern US "hot topics" despite being written over a decade ago.
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Carl Sagan is one of my heros because was able to wrap his vision of the universe, time, and space into a package anyone could understand... and he encouraged us all to to keep asking "What's out there?". I love his quote: "Whether we are alone in the universe or not, either way it's a pretty big thought". I think of that every time I look up and see.. billions and billions of stars in the night sky.
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Read in August, 2003
recommends it for:
sentimental scientists
more of a wrap-up of all his life's work, sagan touches on everything. he lets science take a back seat to his views throughout most of the book, and endorses the ever-earth-conscious masses to rise up and save this goddamn planet...and the universe, a feat that doesn't seem so impossible while reading sagan's simplified messages.
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For some reason I was very hesitant to pick up the book. Perhaps it is the intimidating content, however, it is incredible. I am no where near finished yet as I am re-reading several topics. Sometimes I like to breeze through books, other times I like to soak in every letter.
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Read in March, 2007
recommends it for:
All my friends who have more than 2 kids or who drive SUVs
This is a re-read. Some of the data is old, but the overall message is as meaningful as ever. It's basically the farewell to a world in crisis by one of the greatest custodians of the scientific community.
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Read in January, 1998
This was a challenging yet interesting book to read. If he wrote it today it would have to be called "Trillions and trillions", most people still don't understand the magnitude of those numbers.
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Read in October, 2007
Profound because Sagan wrote this just before he died. A lot of personal references to mortality juxtoposed with the bigger picture. It's a little dated, but worth the read.
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Actually own this in hardcover, bought it off eBay, and totally didn't notice that it said large print edition. It's ridiculous but should make for a quick read haha!
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Has a copy to sell/swap
This book isn't even about astronomy or physics! It was great to read about Carl's views on society, life, religion and politics
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Read in March, 2002
a composite of sagan's great works. the last chapter which he wrote while dying breaks my heart. such a gifted human.
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Read in January, 2003
Carl Sagans thought on Life, Religion, Physics, and Death. Makes you look farther into your own beliefs.
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
Brian
I heart Carl Sagan. This book was written at the end of his life, with his wife writing the ending.
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Reading this book is a stop-and-go affair. Even when dumbing-down science, Sagan is intense.
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Read in January, 1998
Both thought-provoking and touching, this is a collection of Sagan's last musings.
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Read in January, 2003
recommends it for:
the billions and billions
Sagan is alright, a bit long in the tooth for me but a great overall book.
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A less cohesive collection of essays than 'The Demon-Haunted World.'
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