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Carl Sagan

    November 9, 1934 – December 20, 1996

    Carl Sagan was a visionary science popularizer, adept at translating complex cosmic concepts for a global audience. His masterful work inspired millions worldwide by bridging scientific curiosity with a profound understanding of our place in the universe. Through his extensive documentaries and books, Sagan ignited a passion for exploration and guided readers on a captivating journey beyond our planet. His legacy endures in his unwavering pursuit of truth and his unblinking gaze upon reality, even in the face of life's most profound challenges.

    Carl Sagan
    Carl Sagan's Cosmic Connection
    Billions and Billions
    The demon-haunted world: Science as a candle in the dark
    Pale Blue Dot
    Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors
    The Varieties of Scientific Experience
    • 2023

      A visit to a pancake shop leads to an unexpected May-December romance that breathes life into the monotonous routine of an older salaryman.

      Old-Fashioned Cupcake
    • 2006

      Carl Sagan's prophetic vision of the tragic resurgence of fundamentalism and the hope-filled potential of the next great development in human spirituality. The late great astronomer and astrophysicist describes his personal search to understand the nature of the sacred in the vastness of the cosmos. Exhibiting a breadth of intellect nothing short of astounding, Sagan presents his views on a wide range of topics, including the likelihood of intelligent life on other planets, creationism and so-called intelligent design, and a new concept of science as informed worship. Originally presented at the centennial celebration of the famous Gifford Lectures in Scotland in 1985 but never published, this book offers a unique encounter with one of the most remarkable minds of the twentieth century.

      The Varieties of Scientific Experience
    • 2000

      Carl Sagan's Cosmic Connection

      • 336 pages
      • 12 hours of reading
      4.3(1566)Add rating

      Exploring a range of topics from astrophysics to the search for extraterrestrial life, Sagan conveys his enthusiasm and wonder in a lyrical manner. He connects astronomical discoveries to significant human issues, highlighting the relevance of science to our existence. The book features 48 halftones, 3 graphs, and 2 line diagrams, enhancing the reader's understanding of complex concepts.

      Carl Sagan's Cosmic Connection
    • 1997
    • 1997

      Pale Blue Dot

      • 384 pages
      • 14 hours of reading
      4.4(34669)Add rating

      Pulitzer Prize-winning author Carl Sagan traces our exploration of space and suggests that our very survival may depend on the wise use of other worlds. This stirring book reveals how scientific discovery has altered our perception of who we are and where we stand, and challenges us to weigh what we will do with that knowledge. Photos, many in color.

      Pale Blue Dot
    • 1997

      In this book, his last, Carl Sagan shows once again his extraordinary ability to interpret the mysteries of life and the majesty of the universe for the general reader. In Billions and Billions Sagan applies what we know about science, mathematics, and space to everyday life as well as to the exploration of many essential questions concerning the environment and our future. Ranging far and wide in subject matter, he takes his readers on a soaring journey, from the

      Billions and Billions
    • 1996

      A prescient warning of a future we now inhabit, where fake news and Internet conspiracy theories resonate with a disaffected populace. This book serves as a manifesto for clear thought and a spirited defense of science. Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished astronomer Carl Sagan emphasizes that scientific thinking is essential for making informed decisions in our technology-driven lives. He explores the distinction between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science, arguing that understanding this difference is crucial for the well-being of our democratic institutions. Sagan examines and debunks celebrated fallacies such as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. Yet, in today's information age, pseudoscience is thriving with tales of alien abductions and communal hallucinations gaining attention and respect. Sagan eloquently illustrates that the allure of unreason is not merely a cultural misstep but a perilous descent into darkness that endangers our fundamental freedoms. The book has been praised as a powerful defense of informed rationality, rich in surprising information and beautiful writing, offering a clear vision of the importance of good science and a warning against unrestrained credulity.

      The demon-haunted world: Science as a candle in the dark
    • 1993

      NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “Exciting and provocative . . . A tour de force of a book that begs to be seen as well as to be read.”— The Washington Post Book WorldWorld renowned scientist Carl Sagan and acclaimed author Ann Druyan have written a Roots  for the human species, a lucid and riveting account of how humans got to be the way we are. Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a thrilling saga that starts with the origin of the Earth. It shows with humor and drama that many of our key traits—self-awareness, technology, family ties, submission to authority, hatred for those a little different from ourselves, reason, and ethics—are rooted in the deep past, and illuminated by our kinship with other animals.Sagan and Druyan conduct a breathtaking journey through space and time, zeroing in on critical turning points in evolutionary history, and tracing the origins of sex, altruism, violence, rape, and dominance. Their book culminates in a stunningly original examination of the connection between primate and human traits. Astonishing in its scope, brilliant in its insights, and an absolutely compelling read, Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors is a triumph of popular science.

      Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors
    • 1988

      Was there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite or does it have boundaries? These are just some of the questions considered in an internationally acclaimed masterpiece by one of the world's greatest thinkers. It begins by reviewing the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time, from the Big Bang to black holes, via spiral galaxies and strong theory. To this day A Brief History of Time remains a staple of the scientific canon, and its succinct and clear language continues to introduce millions to the universe and its wonders.

      A Brief History of Time. From the Big Bang to Black Holes
    • 1985

      The Cold and the Dark

      • 268 pages
      • 10 hours of reading
      4.2(72)Add rating

      “The scientific discoveries described in this book may turn out . . . to have been the most important research findings in the long history of science.” ―Lewis Thomas, from the Foreward The Cold and the Dark is the record of the Conference on the Long-Term Worldwide Biological Consequences of Nuclear War, held in Washington, D.C., on October 31 to November 1, 1983. The conference involved over 200 scientists from many nations and drew together the best available scientific information. Its central finding was the phenomenon of nuclear winter: a much more profound and long-lasting devastation of the earth and atmosphere than had been believed possible before. In the two principal papers, Carl Sagan presents the atmospheric and climatic consequences of nuclear war and Paul Ehrlich summarizes its biological implications. Also included is the text of the “Moscow Link” ―a dialogue between Soviet and American scientists on nuclear winter―and the technical papers providing the scientific evidence for the book’s conclusions.

      The Cold and the Dark