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scott_op_ks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is the book that got me reading. I was a waste of space back in the day, but after picking this up I was hooked.
Definitely not his best. Still a joy to read.
I miss Carl.
Definitely not his best. Still a joy to read.
I miss Carl.
tahnok's review against another edition
Too American patriotic Ra Ra and pop science
man_in_chair's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
the final essay and epilogue are important to me
marobo's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
rick_k's review against another edition
5.0
I have read several Sagan books, and dozens of other books on cosmology and science in general. I cherish Carl Sagan's precise and clever mind, and the passion and honesty of his narrative voice. This book expands in to international politics and social policy, but with the same reasoned, calm assurance. Perhaps I should have read the subtitle more clearly or tried to place this book chronologically with his other books, but I was unprepared for the final chapter and afterwards. Less than a month ago I lost my father to cancer, and Carl and Annie's hopeful but unflinching accounting of Carl's own battle and death broke me down. There are so many facets to this work which expand it beyond the scope of Cosmos, Demon Haunted World, and his others, but together they relate a way of see the universe and its inhabitants with the greatest compassion and humility. I wish we had his clear voice still, but grateful for what we do have recorded. Highly recommended.
remlezar's review against another edition
4.0
More like a collection of essays as opposed to a traditional non-fiction book with an overall goal, Billions and Billions spends a little bit of time on a whole bunch of different things. Pretty fitting, I think, as the last book Sagan wrote before he died. Not my favorite of his, but still fantastic enough for me to feel bad about giving it any less than five stars.
ryki08's review against another edition
5.0
Sagan's chapter entitled "A Piece of the Sky is Missing", should be read by all in regards to climate change and the actions that specifically the United Sates has failed to take. This chapter was published in 1996 and to read what Sagan wrote and to see the results that were predicted is scary. Sagan wrote, "It's hard to understand how 'conservatives' could oppose safeguarding the environment that all of us - including conservatives and their children - depend on for our very lives. What exactly is it conservatives are conserving?"
After reading this book, it is plan to see that the human species will be the cause of its own extinction unless action is taken now. This action is not to help this current generation, but generations from now. This book should be read by all.
After reading this book, it is plan to see that the human species will be the cause of its own extinction unless action is taken now. This action is not to help this current generation, but generations from now. This book should be read by all.
ula_j's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of essays about a wide variety of topics, including global warming, abortion, and the threat of nuclear annihilation. Sagan is best at synthesizing vast amounts of information to show that while we have made incredible improvements as human beings, we are also on the brink of ruining the planet and killing ourselves. He also provides historical and political background to these huge problems to back up the science, which I appreciate. He was very aware of and spoke out about the fact that women's equality and ability to control their own health was a vital part of making the earth a more hospitable place. The most touching was his last essay, written while he was sick and just before he died. I admit I teared up a bit reading the epilogue by his wife recounting his last days.