Broca's Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science

by Carl Sagan

Overview

A fascinating book on the joys of discovering how the world works, by the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Cosmos and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors.

“Magnificent . . . Delightful . . . A masterpiece. A message of tremendous hope for humanity . . . While ever conscious that human folly can terminate man’s march into the future, Sagan nonetheless paints for us a mind-boggling future: intelligent robots, the discovery of extraterrestrial life and its consequences, and above all the challenge and pursuit of the mystery of the universe.”—Chicago Tribune

“Go out and buy this book, because Carl Sagan is not only one of the world’s most respected scientists, he’s a great writer. . . . I can give a book no greater accolade than to say I’m planning on reading it again. And again. And again.”—The Miami Herald

“The brilliant astronomer . . . is persuasive, provocative and readable.”—United Press International

“Closely reasoned, impeccably researched, gently humorous, utterly devastating.”—The Washington Post

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780345336897
Publisher:	Random House Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/12/1986
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	236,123
Product dimensions:	7.08(w) x 4.10(h) x 1.11(d)

About the Author

Carl Sagan served as the David Duncan Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and Director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University. He played a leading role in the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Galileo spacecraft expeditions, for which he received the NASA Medals for Exceptional Scientific Achievement and (twice) for Distinguished Public Service.

His Emmy- and Peabody–winning television series, Cosmos, became the most widely watched series in the history of American public television. The accompanying book, also called Cosmos, is one of the bestselling science books ever published in the English language. Dr. Sagan received the Pulitzer Prize, the Oersted Medal, and many other awards—including twenty honorary degrees from American colleges and universities—for his contributions to science, literature, education, and the preservation of the environment. In their posthumous award to Dr. Sagan of their highest honor, the National Science Foundation declared that his “research transformed planetary science . . . his gifts to mankind were infinite." Dr. Sagan died on December 20, 1996.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1
(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "Broca's Brain"
by .
Copyright © 1986 Carl Sagan.
Excerpted by permission of Random House Publishing Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Editorial Reviews

Magnificent . . . Delightful . . . A masterpiece. A message of tremendous hope for humanity . . . While ever conscious that human folly can terminate man’s march into the future, Sagan nonetheless paints for us a mind-boggling future: intelligent robots, the discovery of extraterrestrial life and its consequences, and above all the challenge and pursuit of the mystery of the universe.”—Chicago Tribune

“Go out and buy this book, because Carl Sagan is not only one of the world’s most respected scientists, he’s a great writer. . . . I can give a book no greater accolade than to say I’m planning on reading it again. And again. And again.”—The Miami Herald

“The brilliant astronomer . . . is persuasive, provocative and readable.”—United Press International

“Closely reasoned, impeccably researched, gently humorous, utterly devastating.”—The Washington Post

From the Publisher

Narrating this collection of writings from the late astronomer and media darling, Dion Graham uses an impressive array of tonal patterns and phrasing tools to capture the meaning and wonder in Carl Sagan’s poetic writing. Graham’s fluid and nuanced performance shines an admiring light on Sagan’s reverence for science and gift for teaching. The writings sampled here are from the late 1970s, but Sagan’s curiosity was timeless and extended to many of the questions we have today about astrophysics, artificial intelligence, extraterrestrial beings, and the future of our planet. His talent for stirring curiosity in others set a high bar for celebrity science teachers to follow and, with the help of Graham’s excellent performance of these writings, will continue to inspire new science enthusiasts. T.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2018 - AudioFile