Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11446 in Books
• Published on: 1983-08-11
• Binding: Paperback
• 416 pages

Synopsis
This work is the story of 15 billion years of cosmic evolution, transforming matter and life into consciousness, how science and civilization grew up together and the forces and individuals who helped shape modern science. The book aims to make scientific ideas accesssible and exciting. It is based on the television series of the same name. Subjects covered include the ancient library of Alexandria, the death of the sun, the evolution of galaxies, space missions and hieroglyphics.

Customer Reviews

The Universe
Despite being written nearly thirty years ago, Carl Sagan's Cosmos remains one of the greatest works of popular science ever published. It's a great shame that I never came across Sagan's work as a child (even though I was interested in stargazing) as this book fuels your imagination and fills you with wonder about the universe and our place in it.

Yet, this book is more than just a look at Astronomy and Space Travel. Carl Sagan traces the evolution of life from its cosmic origins in the Big Bang, to the creation of our galaxy, and to the forming of the sun and our own planet. He then shows us how life on earth evolved, and how our journey across billions of years of evolution was frought with dangers. It is surprising that we exist at all, let alone that way survived and flourished. As Sagan points out, numerous other species could have taken our place as the dominant form of life on Earth had we never existed.

Sagan also discusses the history of Science, tracing its story from the early Pre-Socratic philosophers of Greece, to the library at Alexandria in Egypt, and the flourishing of science in Newton, Kepler and Brahe's time.I found his discussion on Greek philosophy fascinating, and the chapter on Johannes Kepler's life made for interesting reading.

With subjects as diverse as the search for alien life, the Martian landscape, Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, plans for futuristic spaceships, nuclear war, and the human brain; Cosmos presents you with plenty of thought provoking subjects.
My only criticism, and it is a small one, is that the book did not contain any illustrations or photographs.

I remember viewing the night sky through binoculars as a child and being awed at seeing the stars and the moon as I had never seen them before. Reading Cosmos almost gave me that same feeling of awe, and there's only a few factual books that can do that to you. Carl Sagan was a gifted writer who could convey complex ideas in easy to understand manner. A brilliant and informative read. Highly recommended!

The Total Perspective Vortex, in a handy book format.
Whilst a few of the theories about the origins of the universe and life itself may have moved on, Cosmos still manages to feel relevant and current. I find it hard to believe that it's nearly 30 years since the TV series and the publishing of this great book. A word of warning though, you *will* feel quite insignificant about your place in the universe after reading it.

Awesome.
Awesome. I can't think of a better way to describe this book. Carl Sagan deals with the grand cosmological issues in such an easy to read, almost romantic way. On many occasions during the reading of this book, I had to put it down to fully let the words (usually some incredible statement about life the universe and everything) sink in (usually with a 'wow!')

A fascinating and engaging read, covering an incredibly broad topic base, from evolution, to space travel, to ancient history.

Literally an incredible read. I can't wait to re-read it in fact, knowing full well I'll enjoy it even more