Helpful Score: 3
For most people, I don't think this kind of book would have much effect other than enjoying the story and the occasional jab at different aspects of our culture. For me, however, it changed my perspective on things. I was pretty hardcore atheist and wondered how people could have faith in something without evidence.
This book (and movie) made me realize that people have their own experiences and "evidence" and just because I have not had their experience doesn't mean that I have a right to judge them on theirs. I can't explain why things happen but for others, they may feel they have a reason or a purpose. I now choose to respect others and their faith and beliefs, although I may not understand them. I don't share their experiences so I can't share in their belief.
This book (and movie) made me realize that people have their own experiences and "evidence" and just because I have not had their experience doesn't mean that I have a right to judge them on theirs. I can't explain why things happen but for others, they may feel they have a reason or a purpose. I now choose to respect others and their faith and beliefs, although I may not understand them. I don't share their experiences so I can't share in their belief.
Helpful Score: 3
It is December 1999, the dawn of the millennium, and a team of international scientists is poised for the most fantastic adventure in human history. After years of scanning the galaxy for signs of somebody or something else, this team believes they've found a message from an intelligent source--and they travel deep into space to meet it. Pulitzer Prize winner Carl Sagan injects Contact, his prophetic adventure story, with scientific details that make it utterly believable. It is a Cold War era novel that parlays the nuclear paranoia of the time into exquisitely wrought tension among the various countries involved. Sagan meditates on science, religion, and government--the elements that define society--and looks to their impact on and role in the future. His ability to pack an exciting read with such rich content is an unusual talent that makes Contact a modern sci-fi classic.
Helpful Score: 2
I enjoyed the Contact movie quite a number of years ago and didn't realize it was a book. After reading the book, the movie is better than the book. Carl Sagan's book was too slow moving for me. It did have some part that helped bring out parts of the movie more, but as a whole the book never grabbed me.
Helpful Score: 2
Carl Sagan's fictional account of what it might be like if SETI finds evidence of extraterrestial life. Classic sci fi tale. I wish Sagan had written more novels!
Helpful Score: 1
This is an awesome story. This author writes so well.
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi books. I love the main character- Ellie- who's strong, smart, adventurous,attractive and nerdy, all at the same time! Even more, the discussions of faith, science and where they meet is thought provoking. It's a great story with a message.
Helpful Score: 1
A young scientist scorned by her colleagues for her work on the SETI project receives a radio signal from a distant star, which she interprets to be schematics for a space transport. Through her research into intelligent life in the galaxy, she learns that the answers to all of life's most profound questions are layered within each person's consciousness.
"In Cosmos, Carl Sagan explained the universe. In CONTACT, he predicts its future - and our own."
Astrophysicist Ellie Arroway picks up a transmission from outer space that is believed to be a message. The message is decoded and reveals instructions on how to build a machine. Facing strict opposition from other scientists, politicians and many religious who think this could be a cosmic trap, Arroway and her crew build and eventually board the machine. What they experience is remarkable and life altering but upon return they find that no one believes them - the records of their mission are blank and barely any time has elapsed since their departure. They find themselves coined as under psychological stress or simply - their trip was a hoax.
The classic story of finding oneself, even if you have to go to another world to do it.
Fascinating read. Made into successful Jodi Foster movie.
Surprisingly good. Much better than movie (though movie was ok too).
Carl Sagan's wonderful fictional account of a SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) Astronomer who does, finally, receive (and eventaully decodes) a Message from intelligent Aliens in Outer Space --
-- And how it changes her and the world.
(Nobody -- from conservative Chrsitians to liberal Feminists and Earth-Firsters -- escapes Sagan's sharp, delightful wit in this great book!
-- Whether you've seen the movie or not, do yourself a favor and READ the Book!
-- And how it changes her and the world.
(Nobody -- from conservative Chrsitians to liberal Feminists and Earth-Firsters -- escapes Sagan's sharp, delightful wit in this great book!
-- Whether you've seen the movie or not, do yourself a favor and READ the Book!
This is one of the few contemporary novels i was ever able to Stomach, and it went further than that into being Pretty Sweet. Better than the movie. If you've seen the movie, or even if you haven't, heck, read this book.
In December, 1999, a multinational team journeys out to the stars, to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who or what is out there? In Cosmos, Carl Sagan explained the universe, In CONTACT, he predicts its future and our own. Must better than the movie even if it had Matt McConaughey as the star.
A classic good read about extraterrestrial existence. I read it after seeing the movie and really enjoyed it.
great book...great movie
Pulitzer-prize winner Carl Sagan imagines the discovery of an advanced civilization in the depths of space...a multinationla team journeys out to the stars to find out who or WHAT is out there.
The movie was great the book was even better
Quite different from the film -- five people are launched into outer space instead of the one (Jodie Foster) and there is no love affair with Palmer. Much dialogue about the conflict between science and religion - the map of the machine isn't even translated until more than halfway through the novel. Still, a good read.
Pulitzer prize winner Carl Sagan imagines the greatest adventure of all...the discovery of an advanced civilization in the depths of space.
In December, 1999, a multi-national team journeys out to the stars, to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who-or what-is out there? In Cosmos, Carl Sagan explained the universe. In Contact, he predicts its future-and our own.
A New York Times bestseller.
In December, 1999, a multi-national team journeys out to the stars, to the most awesome encounter in human history. Who-or what-is out there? In Cosmos, Carl Sagan explained the universe. In Contact, he predicts its future-and our own.
A New York Times bestseller.
It's been a long time since I read this, but it's great. You may need to concentrate!
This is an amazingly good book. I keep buying extra copies from UBS to wild release or share in some way. Even if the movie didn't strike you as the best one out there, the book is so much better. Try it - you'll like it.
Note that Satan's predictions for the future circa 1984 are pretty accurate.
Work of fiction, but scientific portrayal of how aliens might actually "contact" us
Better by far than the movie.
An excellent Sagan.
A classic! The movie did not do the book justice!
Note - I don't know why the blue book description is in spanish, but the book is in ENGLISH.
Note - I don't know why the blue book description is in spanish, but the book is in ENGLISH.
Liked the movie, thought I would read it, never did.
