Cosmos

A reviewer

The most influencial book I have ever read. Sagan leads us across time and space, showing the evolution of thought and mankind. He is a prophet of science and nature, showing us that we are all part of the matter and the spaces between of the Universe.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Carl Sagan is amazing.

Cosmos is the book that makes clear exactly how utterly insignifigant yet wonderful and priveleged you are.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

FANTASTIC!!!

Everything about this book is fascinating! Carl Sagan provides great facts and EXCELLENT food for thought as he ponders life's mysteries. A great thing about this book is that it IS filled with lots of information, but the way Carl Sagan presents it makes it easier to understand and he even put foot notes about how certain scientific numbers were calculated, for those who like seeing HOW things are done.

Over all this book is one of the best I've read and I personally think everyone should read it!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

No Cosmos shown here

Where are the 250 full color phptographs? The ebook version contains no photos at all. B&N does not warn you of this omission.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Sci-Fact That's as Entertaining as Sci-Fi

In Cosmos, Carl Sagan takes you on an incredible journey through time and through space. Few sections of science go ignored in this book even though each topic is covered thoroughly and intelligibly. Along with the many relevant facts, Sagan gives his thoughtful analysis and insight to make everything crystal clear. What I most like about Cosmos is how the knowledge introduced is done so in a poetic way which spices it up from being like a textbook and makes it seem like a work of art. Furthermore, Sagan's delivery instigates very profound and spectacular thought of the wonder of how the world works and how well humanity could exist compared to the present. This book is seriously full of mind blowing information that is just plain fun to think about. The most endearing part of this book is how it is written with so much heart, passion, and fervor. If there is anything to complain about it'd be that some parts require numerous re-readings to fully comprehend as some of the concepts are so difficult to grasp. If you are thinking about reading this book then you must. You learn so much from this book and as the adage goes, "knowledge is power". All joking aside, this is a really enjoyable book because it really makes you think and it paints the picture of how beautiful and wonderful the world, the universe, and mere existence are! This book will get a ten out of ten every time in my eyes.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Spectacular

Of all the books I have read, none have made a greater impact on me than Cosmos. In a literary style unmatched by others in his field, Carl Sagan paints a brilliant portrait of our Universe, giving the details on every little subject, which for me is a relief. Sagan's views on the everyday stretch farther than the average person, as compellingly demonstrated in this book. It is non fiction, but in a style all its own, and while reading i could not help but smile, knowing such writing still exists. Explaining to us both the great mysteries hidden in the ocean of space, and the tragic and triumphant pst of the human race, I was at the heart of it all, humbled, by the sheer wonder and awe which lay on each page. This book is not for all readers, but I greatly encourage everyone to at least attempt to read it. It is one of the great pieces of literary science

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Carl Sagan’s Cosmos is a wonderful journey, not just throu

Carl Sagan’s Cosmos is a wonderful journey, not just through space, but throughout time, as horrendously cheesy as it may sound. At first glance, one might assume that the book is pertinent only to outer space as we see it right now, but this is not the case. Cosmos is restricted to neither modern times nor astronomy, instead opting to explore nearly everything along those spectrums. This means that science as a whole is overviewed throughout history, including the implications it carries about human nature, the planet we live on, and what lies beyond. Cosmos challenges readers themselves to challenge things that are often taken for granted, such as the validity of everything we “know” about the universe, and the methods used to achieve those results. Earth itself is a very large part of Cosmos despite only being a small part of the universe, but with good reason. It is, after all, the planet on which the human race has spent the majority of its lifetime, and our only “permanent” temporary home. And despite this, a major message of Cosmos is the fragility of Earth, the pale blue dot. At this point, the book starts to overlap with politics, specifically the preservation of Earth and her resources, but it never explicitly takes sides, even though we all know in which direction it would go if it did. One thing that should not go unaddressed is this: Cosmos is not for everybody. It is, for all intents and purposes, more theoretical than practical. Joe Schmo may not care about what will happen to humanity millions of years from now, and ultimately, the definition of a Type 2.3 R. Civilization is meaningless to him. Even so, Cosmos also teaches a lesson of humility, rather than making the reader feel self-important and smart for having read it. Arrogance is the downfall of science, which means the downfall of human progress. When you are damn sure that the sun revolves around the Earth because you are among the smartest men of your time, then failure lies in the future of your ideals. Ultimately, Cosmos is more than capable of wowing its audience with descriptions of the scale of the universe and the fantastic possibilities that lie within it, but it takes a more discerning mind to understand what it is teaching you. About Earth, about humanity, about where we’re coming from and where we’re going to.

Other recommended works: Just about anything else by Carl Sagan, A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking, The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene

5/5 stars

20 yrs has passed but still intriguing 20 yrs passed but still intriguing

I have watched the tv show first then read this book. This book is telling and showing a lot more knowledge in more effective way.

Science for the Masses

I decided to read Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" after reading his wonderful book "Contact." (Much better than the movie!) His descriptions throughout that book were simple enough that I could understand, but not so simple that I felt like I was missing out on the important aspects. "Cosmos" is even better.

A science book that is actually interesting, the descriptions and explanations are in-depth and comprehensive, but easy enough for a non-scientist to understand. Although written quite a while ago in terms of science, I feel like this book gives a great basic understanding to many concepts, allowing me to read newer, and more difficult, books. I definitely recommend this for any person who wants a better understanding of the cosmos, especially those with little to no scientific background.

Wonderful

I recall when the Cosmos Series was on television and what a wonderful experience it was. It was my first introduction to Carl Sagan and his warm, welcoming manner and
friendly presentation made me a loyal viewer for the entire series.
The Book, Cosmos, I purchased for reading for my travels in Italy in celebration of the
IYA2009 and it was a perfect choice. Carl Sagan's heart and mind pour our of every page and everything he presents is well within the grasp of even scientifically challenged readers like me. The warmth and human quality of the book make it one i cannot recommend strongly enough. Read it, then read it again. You're welcome. jb

A MUST for all home libraries

This book really changed my life. First I watched the TV series and later I read the book. After all I was more and more interested in Science. I was really amazed about what we really don't know about the Universe. It also helped me to realize how wonderful is everything that God created, and that through Science we are discovering. God Bless Carl Sagan for giving us this magnificent book !

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Book

Sagan does a great job explaining the general universe from pulsars to quasars etc. Sagan also makes a good point in not denying or supporting religion, as a good writer should do on this subject.

A Great Book

A wonderful book. Sagan is a wonderful writer.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Book that Defined my Life

Cosmos turned me on to the scientific method and changed my life. I was transformed into a scientist from a muddled-thinking superstitious religionist. It instilled an excitement and thrill for the quest for knowledge of the real world, rather than a groveling hope for rewards and happiness in some fairy tale supernatural existance when I die. I am forever indebted to Sagan for the happiness that comes from the courageous pursuit of truth, in the face of comforting dogmas.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Splendid

Undoubtedly the masterpiece from a great master of words and ideas. What an account of evolution of cosmos, life, civilization, art, science and ofcourse superstitions!!! While going through this marvelous story of "everything" all your senses are awakened. Who said, logic and emotions dont go together?? Read COSMOS...try to "feel" the earnest plea Carl Sagan makes when he asks us to "behave" ourselves...!!! I recommend COSMOS to everyone!! EVERYONE!!!

the bible or holy book for the science inclined mind

This is, probably, one of the easiest book to read I 've seen, the holy book for any scientific mind. So concise, simple, flavoured, fascinating, breathtaking.You also have to see the 13 chapter TV series.

The Most Fascinating Book I Have Ever Seen

He has the best view and simplest way to have the reader understand unimaginable things.

Every human being should read this book.

How can you convince the entire world to read something? I suppose you could put one in every hotel room, or give them away to people on the street, or you could make a 13-hour television series and put it on PBS (which is what they did). There's a reason this book has been given a 5 star rating. Trust me...read this book.

Not a word to describe it.....

The theories discussed in this book are breath taking. It is written so beautifully, its as if it portrays a tv in your mind in constant flowing information. The things Carl describes are unimaginable. This book inspires you. You will never look at the sky the same way you always have.....

The Universe is FANTASTIC!

This second Masterpiece from Carl Sagan is better most documentaries with a book companion. The detailed scientific and historical information is laid out beautifully with no stone left unturned. Dr. Sagan shows that We are indebted to the thousands of years of research that came before in other cultures. Without them, there would have been no advancement. And he knows how to show that many of the problems that We face today are of our own making and the responsibility to solve those problems is Our Own, NOT someone else. This book and the TV series should be in use as mandatory science education tools in our schools. They are both far superior to the textbooks and techniques currently in use.