Carl Sagan's Universe

Book Overview

Carl Sagan's many contributions to science and society have been profound and far-reaching, influencing millions of people around the world. He carried out significant research in planetary science, was closely associated with the US space program, created the highly acclaimed television series Cosmos, and was the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of many best-selling popular science books. Carl Sagan's Universe is a fascinating and beautifully illustrated collection of articles by a distinguished team of authors, and covers the many fields of science, education, policy making, and related areas in which Sagan worked. The book is divided into four sections, the first two of which provide an absorbing overview of the US space program (as well as a complementary account of the Russian program), and of the history and current status of the search for extraterrestrial life. The final two sections deal with the importance of science education in the successful development of a technological society, and of the shaping of science policy in tackling the problems facing us today. Also included is a separate chapter by Sagan himself, discussing the place and role of our planet and mankind in the universe. Written in honour of Carl Sagan's many achievements, this book will fascinate and reward anyone interested in planetary science and exploration, the search for extraterrestrial life, or the role of science in the modern world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521576032
• ISBN13: 9780521576031
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 312 Pages
• Weight: 1.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.4" x 9.9"

Customer Reviews

Read after reading Sagan

This book seemed awkward at first, with its structure of lectures ranging from rambles with dim connections to Sagan through to near-hagiography barely sullied by informative content. Fortunately, these proved to be the extremes. It was saved by the range of provocative ideas, both current and historical, which emerge from the authors and implicitly from Sagan himself. Sagan's own talk in the book with a Q & A session recorded, displays both the kindliness and scientific curiousity of his public persona and the clean efficiency with which he deals with fuzzy thinking in a scientific arena. I think one of his directly-authored books is a better introduction to science and to his thinking but if you have read some of those and want to learn more about his range of thought, this book is worth the time.

Sagan's Last, But Not His Best....

Written in memory of Carl Sagan, this book is edited by his Chairman at Cornell, Dr. Yervant Terzian. It includes short articles by numerous authors, and shows the breadth of Sagan's interests. It also includes some of Carl Sagan's very last work.For others who have read _Cosmos_, it is an update on Sagan's views about humanity, life and death. If you liked _Cosmos_, you will probably find this book interesting, as well.