About the Author

Sagan was Dir. of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies & David Duncan Prof. of Astronomy & Space Sciences at Cornell University.He played a leading role in the Mariner, Viking & Voyage expeditions to the planets & was a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for literature. He died in 1996.

Reviews

'Dazzling...Contact becomes the greatest adventure of all time.' ASSOCIATED PRESS 'Imaginative flair...The Sagan wit on full display...Contact jabs at commericalism, nationalism, sexism ... THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Dr. Ellie Arroway, a radio astronomer, discovers a clear and unmistakably intelligent signal from outer space. This signal, and the significance of knowing "we are not alone," excites debate; fosters love, hate, and fear; and unifies mankind on a worldwide scale. Ellie remains scientifically skeptical and aloof from the controversy as she becomes involved with the politicians and scientists who hammer out a consolidated earthly response to the extraterrestrials' instructions for building a mysterious "machine." Is the machine good or evil? Is it from God? Or is it a doomsday machine? Narrator Laurel Lefkow has a lovely, mellow voice that will lull listeners, providing the multinational characters with precise accents. Overdubs mar the narrative in spots but not enough to counteract Sagan's beautiful writing; he contemplates faith-based vs. scientifically grounded belief systems of the universe's creation and purpose, showing remarkable understanding of both positions and in the end synthesizes the two. Recommended for larger collections. Douglas C. Lord, Hartford P.L., CT Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.