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.
“[Sagan’s] writing brims with optimism, clarity and
compassion.”—Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
“Sagan used the spotlight of his fame to illuminate the abyss into
which stupidity, greed, and the lust for power may yet dump us. All
of those interests and causes are handsomely represented
in Billions & Billions.”—The Washington Post Book
World
“Astronomer Carl Sagan didn’t live to see the millennium, but he
probably has done more than any other popular scientist to prepare
us for its arrival.”—Atlanta Journal & Constitution
“Billions & Billions can be interpreted as the Silent Spring
for the current generation. . . . Human history includes a number
of leaders with great minds who gave us theories about our universe
and origins that ran contrary to religious dogma. Galileo
determined that the Earth revolved around the Sun, not the other
way around. Darwin challenged Creationism with his Evolution of
Species. And now, Sagan has given the world its latest
challenge: Billions & Billions.”—San Antonio
Express-News
“[Sagan’s] inspiration and boundless curiosity live on in the gift
of his work.”—Seattle Times & Post-Intelligencer
“Couldn’t stay awake in your high school science classes? This book
can help fill in the holes. Acclaimed scientist Carl Sagan combines
his logic and knowledge with wit and humor to make a potentially
dry subject enjoyable to read.”—The Dallas Morning News
It is doubtful that there is anyone unfamiliar with noted astronomer and science writer Sagan's ability to convey the wonder, excitement, and joy of science. This book is a wonderful, if eclectic, collection of essays, some reprinted from magazines of national prominence, covering a wide range of topics: the invention of chess, life on Mars, global warming, abortion, international affairs, the nature of government, and the meaning of morality. Writing with clarity and an understanding of human nature, Sagan offers hope for humanity's future as he illuminates our ability to understand ourselves and to change the world for the better. The last chapter is an account of his struggle with myelodysplasia, the illness that finally took his life in December 1996. An epilog written by his wife is a personal account of the man rather than the scientist admired by so many. This last book is a fitting capstone to a distinguished career. Enthusiastically recommended. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 2/1/97.]‘James Olson, Northeastern Illinois Univ. Lib., Chicago
"[Sagan's] writing brims with optimism, clarity and
compassion."-Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
"Sagan used the spotlight of his fame to illuminate the abyss into
which stupidity, greed, and the lust for power may yet dump us. All
of those interests and causes are handsomely represented in
Billions & Billions."-The Washington Post Book World
"Astronomer Carl Sagan didn't live to see the millennium, but he
probably has done more than any other popular scientist to prepare
us for its arrival."-Atlanta Journal & Constitution
"Billions & Billions can be interpreted as the Silent
Spring for the current generation. . . . Human history includes a
number of leaders with great minds who gave us theories about our
universe and origins that ran contrary to religious dogma. Galileo
determined that the Earth revolved around the Sun, not the other
way around. Darwin challenged Creationism with his Evolution of
Species. And now, Sagan has given the world its latest challenge:
Billions & Billions."-San Antonio Express-News
"[Sagan's] inspiration and boundless curiosity live on in the gift
of his work."-Seattle Times & Post-Intelligencer
"Couldn't stay awake in your high school science classes? This book
can help fill in the holes. Acclaimed scientist Carl Sagan combines
his logic and knowledge with wit and humor to make a potentially
dry subject enjoyable to read."-The Dallas Morning
News
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