Rating: 
Summary: Good
Review: Mr. Sagan's Cosmos....I have the same thing
to say about it as the others here. It changed my
life. Thank you Carl.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Reading this book changed my life. It was back in 1988 when I was 17 years old. I didn't know _what_ to do with my life; but after reading this, I knew I was a physicist at heart. I ented UNLV in 1989 as a physics major.
I give him credit for opening my eyes to the beautiful universe around us. He helps to put things into perspective in terms that we all understand. (I remember a course I took in college: "The Social of Science," my instructor didn't consider Sagan a real scientist, mearly a science populist.) I think he was one of the most important scientists to ever live, he brought all of these wonders into our living rooms. His enthusiam for science was very contageous.
I haven't read the book for years, but I still remember one of my favorite facinating facts from Cosmos. Sagan explains that the core of the sun is hot enough to be in a gaseous state, yet the gravitational pull is so strong that it is 16 times denser than lead.
While I read this book, I repeatedly said to myself, "Wow."
Rating:
Summary: The ultimate primer for astronomy and scientific history
Review: I first saw this material not in book form, but in the TV series made for PBS. I remember a childhood of growing up watching Carl Sagan on the bridge of an imaginary ship, hurtling through the universe as he explained the wondrousness of it all.
The writing is easy to follow and, while it may jump around time-wise, encourages the reader to learn more about astronomy as well as astrophysics, chemistry, and mathematics. A particularly important quality in Sagan's writing is his ability to break down concepts which, ordinarily, might be beyond the grasp of those not initiated to physics, geometry, and history. He introduces complicated topics (such as astrophysics) in simple enough terms that they can be followed and applied to the discussions in later chapters. In addition, his unique insight into the space escapades of the past several decades (often through his consultation or even direct involvement) lends a personal touch to the narrative that makes it all seem more human and understandable.
His strength of conviction and courage to show the darker side of humanity as it relates to the study of the universe is admirable; his willingness to expose the ugliness of societies ignorant in the value of science (to this day) gives readers a broader view of astronomy's place in the world. A writer unafraid to show the truth is a diamond in the rough. Sagan was one such jewel, and this novel is certainly a treasure all its own.
Rating:
Summary: Bets Book Ever!
Review: This book is "Brilliant" and wondeful a must read! Carl Sagan is one of the Best scientists of our Time
Rating:
Summary: Bible for Christians; Sagan's Best
Review: This book helped to strengthen my faith in the power and glory of the Almighty. It's terrifically written by the late Carl Sagan. I've never owned a book such as this that has brought me closer to God and Jesus Christ. Amen
Rating:
Summary: Cosmos: A wonderful Universe and our place in it
Review: In "Cosmos", Carl Sagan, one of the most influential
scientists and human visionaries of the second half of this century, takes the human mind on a magnificent and
fantastic voyage back to the origins of our universe, our solar system, our history. His unique gift is to
discuss epistemology, scientific thought, and human
achievement through the centuries in a way which makes
people indulge in the pursuit of self-knowledge, and
appreciate the special gift of sharing this small rocky
planet in one of the outer reaches of our Milky Way Galaxy.
Rating:
Summary: Cosmos - What DONT you want to know?
Review: The Book Cosmos by Carl Sagan is the best book to read if you want to know everything. With it's extensivly detailed explanations and stunning pictures, there IS no better book about the Universe as it is today, as it was, and as it will be. I am only 14 and read this book last year. It opened my eyes to what is an unimaginably large universe, and helped me decide what to do with my life.
I was very sad to learn of Carl Sagan's death (20th Dec 1996) as he was probably the best person to talk to to find out about anything.
In deep Respect,
Russell Smith
Rating:
Summary: A Bible for Agnostics
Review: "Cosmos" the book is the next best thing to the series
itself. In fact, the book "Cosmos" goes into some
details that could not be covered in the series.
Much of the spectacular artwork from the series can
be found in the book, as well as Sagan's WONDROUS
explanations of "what makes it all go".
To quote Dr. Sagan, "Cosmos" can be summarized with
the sentence, "The universe is KNOWABLE", and "Cosmos"
is a beautiful description of some of the most
fascinating things we've have come to know about
the universe through science.
It has become like a Bible to me -- many of my
one of a kind letters and articles are tucked between
it's pages.
If you like learning about the world and the universe
around us, this is a book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Look at the stars in a whole new way
Review: Carl Sagan uses a boyish excitement that comes through the pages to explain Astronomies greatest hits since man was in a cave. Some of the concepts explained are fairly heavy but he does an excellent job of breaking them down into a digestable format for anyone with a high school education.
Rating:
Summary: A question regarding cosmic optimism
Review: Most of the readers and reviewers of this book speak of it with wonder and excitement, pleasure and gratitude. Many call it the best popular science book ever written. A number speak of the way it changed their lives, and led them to take deeper interest in scientific enterprises.
I also upon viewing the popular series on television years ago was caught up with this kind of enthusiasm. There was a sense of learning and understanding the latest picture of the universe the best minds of mankind had been able to put together.
I remember regretting it when I missed an episode.
I believe I read the book when it first came out. A couple of reviewers have indicated that some of the science is a bit dated, superseded by developments in fields in which new discoveries are happening all the time.
Nonetheless at the very same time I was so enthusiastic about Sagan's presentation I did feel a certain reservation. It is the reservation of one or two other reviewers I have seen on this site. For Sagan the Cosmos begins with an absence of Intelligence and moves toward greater and greater Intelligence and Understanding with the development of Mankind. For many of us this picture is questionable , for we hold with the idea of a Creator not simply at the Beginning of the Process but throughhout. Sagan and I suspect many who read this will say simply ' unverifiable' and ' non-falsifiable' and therefore non- scientific.' I would counter with something like this. That there is a kind of false hope presented in the story if we make it seems as if the place we have in the Cosmos is one of ever- increasing power, knowledge, understanding. The truth is that the vast worlds opened to us by our new knowledge and scientific instruments are vast worlds largely of dust and emptiness. And that the vast stretches of time too make it seem as if our moment is one small lost one before humanity in some way ceases to exist,either through our own ' Progress'in weapon- making or through some cosmic development we simply have no control over. The picture of mastery and optimism in Sagan's Cosmos I want to say is not borne out by conclusive evidence. Seti or not, ' the silence of the infinite spaces still can cast us into dread' This is not meant to be an anti- scientific diatribe . I too share the sense of wonder and appreciation which comes with the chronicle of developing human understanding of the universe. I also though wonder if Humanity does not need , and is incomplete without the idea of a Creator to whom we owe our origin and our end.
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