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Cosmos | 
 enlarge | Author: Carl Sagan
Publisher: Abacus
Category: Book
List Price: £10.99
Buy New: £5.50
You Save: £5.49 (50%)
New (19) Used (6) from £5.45
Rating:  22 reviews
Sales Rank: 12521
Media: Paperback
Edition: New edition
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.6 x 4.9 x 1.2
ISBN: 0349107033
Dewey Decimal Number: 520
EAN: 9780349107035
ASIN: 0349107033
Publication Date: August 11, 1983
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 17 more reviews...
 Brilliant! August 23, 2008
C. Clayton (Tucson AZ)
Carl Sagan's book and TV series called Cosmos has opened the vast universe to millions and millions of people. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book and watching the series.
It is not surprising that Cosmos is the best-selling science book ever published in the English language...and the series has been seen by half a billion people!
Carl Sagan was able to accomplish this feat by tapping into his psyche as a little boy who asked many questions about the universe. He then wrote and produced the series from the heart. His enthusiasm and fascination with the earth, planets, stars, galaxies, extraterrestrial life and more is contagious! He took an incredibly difficult subject and made it fun, exciting and educational for anyone from 8 to 80 who has looked up at the night skies...and wondered.
The book and series are not to be missed!
The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide To: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking
 Cosmos August 3, 2008
Spider Monkey (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
'Cosmos' has been one of the key popular science books since it appeared on the shelves, and it is mostly as relevant now as when it was first written. Sagan is obviously fascinated and passionate about astronomy and cosmology and that passion is evident on every page. This book looks a great deal at the question of extraterrestrial life and evidence for or against, as well as wider questions of astronomy and the universe. This looks at such a variety of topics to illustrate the points Sagan makes, from egyptian hieroglyphics to brain function, nuclear war to ancient Greek science and more besides, that there is something to engage and interest everyone. Each chapter is beautifully summed up with a final thought by Sagan that manages to be stirring and poetic nearly every time. In addition, each chapter is also begun with quotes from various texts and scholars from over the years which gives a good feel for the chapter to come. This book could have been improved with diagrams to illustrate, and clarify, some of the points made by Sagan, but this is a minor gripe. If you liked this book I HIGHLY recommend 'Big Bang' by Simon Singh which has much of this information, and more besides, written in a clear and coherent way and with more up-to-date research and discoveries. In some respect, although I liked this book, I'd recommend 'Big Bang' more due to this more modern rendering of the same story and information. Overall though, for a classic scientific text and for a fascinating and thought provoking read, you can't go far wrong in looking here.
The Universe July 24, 2008
D. Evans
Despite being written nearly thirty years ago, Carl Sagan's Cosmos remains one of the greatest works of popular science ever published. It's a great shame that I never came across Sagan's work as a child (even though I was interested in stargazing) as this book fuels your imagination and fills you with wonder about the universe and our place in it.
Yet, this book is more than just a look at Astronomy and Space Travel. Carl Sagan traces the evolution of life from its cosmic origins in the Big Bang, to the creation of our galaxy, and to the forming of the sun and our own planet. He then shows us how life on earth evolved, and how our journey across billions of years of evolution was frought with dangers. It is surprising that we exist at all, let alone that way survived and flourished. As Sagan points out, numerous other species could have taken our place as the dominant form of life on Earth had we never existed.
Sagan also discusses the history of Science, tracing its story from the early Pre-Socratic philosophers of Greece, to the library at Alexandria in Egypt, and the flourishing of science in Newton, Kepler and Brahe's time.I found his discussion on Greek philosophy fascinating, and the chapter on Johannes Kepler's life made for interesting reading.
With subjects as diverse as the search for alien life, the Martian landscape, Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, plans for futuristic spaceships, nuclear war, and the human brain; Cosmos presents you with plenty of thought provoking subjects.
My only criticism, and it is a small one, is that the book did not contain any illustrations or photographs.
I remember viewing the night sky through binoculars as a child and being awed at seeing the stars and the moon as I had never seen them before. Reading Cosmos almost gave me that same feeling of awe, and there's only a few factual books that can do that to you. Carl Sagan was a gifted writer who could convey complex ideas in easy to understand manner. A brilliant and informative read. Highly recommended!
The Total Perspective Vortex, in a handy book format. June 18, 2008
Kevin Kenny (Perth. Scotland)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Whilst a few of the theories about the origins of the universe and life itself may have moved on, Cosmos still manages to feel relevant and current. I find it hard to believe that it's nearly 30 years since the TV series and the publishing of this great book. A word of warning though, you *will* feel quite insignificant about your place in the universe after reading it.
Awesome. March 2, 2008
Hotblack Desiato (Cambridge)
Awesome. I can't think of a better way to describe this book. Carl Sagan deals with the grand cosmological issues in such an easy to read, almost romantic way. On many occasions during the reading of this book, I had to put it down to fully let the words (usually some incredible statement about life the universe and everything) sink in (usually with a 'wow!')
A fascinating and engaging read, covering an incredibly broad topic base, from evolution, to space travel, to ancient history.
Literally an incredible read. I can't wait to re-read it in fact, knowing full well I'll enjoy it even more
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