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4.31 AVERAGE
4.31 AVERAGE
If I could give this book 6/5 stars I would. There aren't words to describe the intelligence and beauty this book carries. I see myself rereading it every year in hopes of trying to recreate the joys of reading it for the first time.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
This book makes you think about things. Really think about them. And it also grips your heart at the end.
I often think about the different opinions Carl Sagan would have of the current society and in what ways he'd help shape our minds to make the world a better place. In the end, I always reach the same conclusion: we've lost so much when he passed away...
I often think about the different opinions Carl Sagan would have of the current society and in what ways he'd help shape our minds to make the world a better place. In the end, I always reach the same conclusion: we've lost so much when he passed away...
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I didn't enjoy long essay on Environment protection with active theme on US politics. This book is actually for Environmentalists and Democrats supporters. Democrats are good, Republicans are evil. Tragedy is everywhere. There is only one right solution. But probably author is right on risks to our planet, as he is among most recognized scientists.
I like short essays on numbers and on morale standards. In the latter he analyzes how to react on good and bad behavior of others. And make clear and logical conclusions based on game theory. First be nice to other person, and every time you deal with him in the future treat him as he treated you last time. So encourage good behavior and punish bad one every time. Do not follow Jesus in offering your other cheek.
I like short essays on numbers and on morale standards. In the latter he analyzes how to react on good and bad behavior of others. And make clear and logical conclusions based on game theory. First be nice to other person, and every time you deal with him in the future treat him as he treated you last time. So encourage good behavior and punish bad one every time. Do not follow Jesus in offering your other cheek.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
As a bit of a background I *discovered* Carl Sagan later in life than my peers. I learned about him by watching really crap videos of this man banging on about the Cosmos. I must say despite the dated videos what jumps out is he was articulate and was passionate about what he was talking about. I bring this up because I feel like this book probably won't work for many people who got to see these shows as they were produced. This book seems to be a summary of Sagan's `general audience` life works. So if you have followed his career you will likely be re-reading something you read before. If you watched the shows you will be get something you'd seen before.
This however shouldn't put you off because you probably need a refresher anyway. :-)
On to the book though. I found the first 5 or so chapters to be inspiring. To the point that I had to read them again. I think that this would be a good way to introduce kids to science or to make it easy for people to demystify the pursuit of knowledge. Again here he tells the story of why science is important and how everyone is capable of doing it if they allowed themselves to.
The middle of the book might be a bit tough to take for those who have followed his writings. After watching the Cosmos series (GO AND ADD THEM TO YOUR NETFLIX NOW!) I kept reading his works and so some of these chapters include articles I'd already read. (Boo to the editors on not fleshing these out) It isn't a total disaster and in many instances I was delighted to re-read some of his articles in the context of the book.
The last part of the book moved me me the most. It is short on science but is probably the closest one will ever get to actually having a personal audience with him and I daresay his philosophy on life. Even while facing death Carl Sagan's perspective on life and death put mine to shame. Truly inspiring.
This however shouldn't put you off because you probably need a refresher anyway. :-)
On to the book though. I found the first 5 or so chapters to be inspiring. To the point that I had to read them again. I think that this would be a good way to introduce kids to science or to make it easy for people to demystify the pursuit of knowledge. Again here he tells the story of why science is important and how everyone is capable of doing it if they allowed themselves to.
The middle of the book might be a bit tough to take for those who have followed his writings. After watching the Cosmos series (GO AND ADD THEM TO YOUR NETFLIX NOW!) I kept reading his works and so some of these chapters include articles I'd already read. (Boo to the editors on not fleshing these out) It isn't a total disaster and in many instances I was delighted to re-read some of his articles in the context of the book.
The last part of the book moved me me the most. It is short on science but is probably the closest one will ever get to actually having a personal audience with him and I daresay his philosophy on life. Even while facing death Carl Sagan's perspective on life and death put mine to shame. Truly inspiring.
Not quite what I expected. Some really great chapters, others less interesting to me.