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Billions and Billions: : Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium
Billions and Billions Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium
Author: Carl Sagan
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. Brilliant, eloquent, and imbued with Sagan's uniquely childlike sense of awe, this entertaining collection of essays captures the authors spirit at its best. — In Billions and ...  more » 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 invention of chess to the possibility of life on Mars, from Monday Night Football to the relationship between the United States and Russia, from global warming to the abortion debate. And, on a more intimate note, we are given a rare glimpse of the author himself as he movingly describes his valiant fight for his life, his love of his family, and his personal beliefs about death and God.

Throughout these essays, Sagan provides clarity and understanding for an audience eager to make sense of the world around it as it prepares for the challenges of the coming millennium, and in the process he illuminates his strongly held belief that we have the ability to change the world and our lives for the better.

Sagan has said, We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and by the depth of our answers. With this book, as in his magnificent career, he makes this world significant indeed.
ISBN-13: 9780679411604
ISBN-10: 0679411607
Publication Date: 6/2/1997
Pages: 241
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 11

4.2 stars, based on 11 ratings
Publisher: Random House
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
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reviewed Billions and Billions: : Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium on + 5 more book reviews
The final chapter of the book is a must-read for Sagan fans.
reviewed Billions and Billions: : Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium on + 4 more book reviews
This is simply the best book I have ever read. I was in college at the time studying to be a chemical engineer, and felt beat down by instructors. This renewed my love of science and of thinking, and made me feel like I was on the right path again as I loved everything Sagan had to say. Very readable, with topics that it seems few think about in depth.

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