Rating: 
Summary: Simply one of the best!
Review: I was privaliged to see this series when I was very young. It is greatly because of this series that I was able to truly apreciate high school and college courses of physics, calculus, and chemistry. There are not many things that are as exciting as understanding how the universe works, and this series goes a long way to giving you that big picture. When it comes out on DVD, I will buy a copy for my enjoyment and for the future education of my children!
Rating:
Summary: a hearalding accomplisment of artistry and science
Review: For almost 20 years, no other science documentary has been able to capture such a broad wealth of scientific insight and so masterfully present it as "Cosmos" has done. In conjunction with the New York State Earth Science curricumlum, I have shown this video over the years to a broad spectum of students representing a large range of cultures. "Cosmos" has not only spellbound my students, but has engendered several research projects and has inspired one to even choose a career in astronomy. My local library's copies have become old and worn. I hope for the re-release of this wonderful series as I look forward to another generation of students who deserve to see the universe so gloriously displayed as in Carl Sagen's "Cosmos".
Rating:
Summary: Very Excellent!
Review: A little expensive but very cool. Carl Sagan was the first man to break the sound barrier and this is his story. Carl also was a swimming contender in the 1968 Mexico Olympics but he felt the sting of defeat and didn't win diddley. We don't like losers, Carl. A famous scientist, Carl died of cancer some years ago because he didn't eat his broccoli. If only he's gone to Denny's every Thursday for their cream of broccoli soup, he would still be alive today.
Rating:
Summary: the best science documentrary
Review: This is prehaps the most inspiring documentary about the earth and our place within the universe. I have seen the series about a dozen times and its just as interesting each and every time. This would be great material for children learning about the world around them..+Fred
Rating:
Summary: As good as science ever gets on television
Review: Cosmos, Carl Sagan's "Personal voyage" through the world of 20th century science, is a tremendously interesting, well-written, and thought provoking enterprise. Although twenty years old, the series (both the commentary and the science) have held up remarkably well, likely due to the combination of solid data and informed speculation that are apparent throughout the 13 hours of programming. Each disc features one or two episodes of the series, and each hourlong episode covers a surprising number of topics. Sagan goes back and forth from biology to chemistry to physics with ease, and never, ever, talks down to his audience. The series was made during the cold-war/Reagan presidency, and does suffer from a bit of nuclear paranoia. Still, such sentiments resonated very strongly at the time. Of note, the series clearly embraces much of Sagan's own political thinking and some viewers may find this grating. Also, the series predates the whole current concept of "political correctness" and makes such statements as, "Evolution is not a theory, it is a fact." I imagine that the PBS of 2001 would be squeamish about airing such a strongly worded statement today, even in the context of a science program, for fear of a backlash from religious viewers. Still, it speaks to the strength of Sagan's feelings on the subject that he makes his case so forcefully, and is not afraid to show his disdain for things he views as irrational such as creationism and astrology. The picture and sound quality on the discs are excellent. There are few extras here, but that does not really hurt the series much at all, given the large volume of material to view. I cannot recommend the series more highly.
Rating:
Summary: Cosmos Instructs, Entertains, and Inspires
Review: Although the boxed DVD set may seem expensive, it is the best DVD investment I have made. I watched this series originally on TV in the early 1980s with my dad. We were awestruck. Now I watch it with my son who is 7 years old. Sam absolutely loves this series and has seen every episode several times. If he only grasps 10% of what Carl is saying, I am well-pleased. Sam is inspired, challenged, and lifted up by Carl Sagan. And I am still awestruck.
Rating:
Summary: reverence
Review: I still remember this TV series at the beginning of the eighties and the deep universal emotion which came from each episode. Doctor Carl Sagan considerably changed my vision of the world like my perception of the universe.
I acknowledge to have cried with the announcement of his death in 1996. I never found another means of voyage as marvellous as this one, beyond the shores of the cosmic ocean on board a dandelion seed.
KCET was a public broadcast channel and production was his own.. Undoubtedly at the end of this terrible XX century Carl Sagan's illumination will represent for America what the Lighthouse was in Alexandria of Ptolémées. To be seen absolutely
Fraud Joël
Rating:
Summary: Still One of the Very Best
Review: I write only to add another five-star review to this impressive and exhaustive list. Carl Sagan is simply a legend. I read Cosmos, which is also worth reading even if you watch this fine collector's set, Billions and Billions, and have three or four other Sagan works on the shelf that remain on my "to read" list. Don't miss out on the movie "Contact," written by Sagan, either.
Sagan is what I'd describe as a scientific romanticist. He is at once well aware of both the awesome power of nature, the mysterious nature of the universe, as well as the gruesome potential we have as humans to either preserve or destroy ourselves. Sagan is thoroughgoing, but never to the point of boredom. This series, even though produced in the early 80s (if I recall correctly), is still fantastic today. Were needed either Sagan or Ann Druyan provide "updates" at the end of each original episode.
This may indeed be NOVA's high-water mark (at least thus far). Seriously, this is a keeper - one to crack out and watch once a year for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I had heard of Carl Sagan, but never knew much about him or read any of his books. I was browsing in a used bookstore and spotted the book Cosmos, but didn't buy it. I returned a week or so later and decided to pick it up. I'm so glad I did. The book was a very enjoyable read, one of my favorite books of all time. Like other reviewers, I was humbled. I became curious about the TV series that Sagan mentions in the beginning of the book. I had never heard of it before, and decided to check Amazon to see if it was available on DVD. Sure enough, it was, but at a hefty price. I eventually decided to splurge and buy the set. For three days I was awed by and engrossed in this amazing documentary series. All of the ideas in the book are present, plus more. It gave me a much greater understanding of all elements of the book. Carl Sagan is also an amazing narrator, his voice and enthusiam drawing you in. Now that I have finished watching Cosmos (some episodes more than once), I can't wait until I watch them again. I am an engineering student, and math and science have always been my main interests. I have enjoyed reading many science/math related non-fiction books in the past. This particular book was not only enlightening, but made me thirst for more knowledge. I reccommend Cosmos to anyone who wants to be amazed and likes to learn.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic and still relevant today
Review: I saw just one of the thirteen episodes when it aired on TV in Australia in 1982 (From 5/30/82 to 8/22/1982, I believe) when it was on Sunday night at 10:30pm as I was twelve at the time and my parents sent me to bed at 8:30pm. I almost gave up on the series until a freak event allowed me to view Episode 13 in hopistal (I ran across a six lane highway and got hit by a car, so I watched Episode 13 in my bed while my leg was in a plaster.
I was so amazed and awed by that one episode that I wanted to see the 12 episodes I missed. I had to wait until December 2003 to order the DVD box set. I have now seen the entire box set twice it is worth every cent. Even after 20+ years it is still revelant and important viewing, especially about the human race reaching for a golden future of self destructing in madness. And I loaned the box set to my younger brother (about 2 years younger than me!) and he loves it too!
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