Cosmos (Television program)

Amazon.com Review Cosmos was the first science TV blockbuster, and Carl Sagan was its (human) star. By the time of Sagan's death in 1996, the series had been seen by half a billion people; Sagan was perhaps the best-known scientist on the planet. Explaining how the series came about, Sagan recalled: I was positive from my own experience that an enormous global interest exists in the exploration of the planets and in many kindred scientific topics--the origin of life, the Earth, and the Cosmos, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, our connection with the universe. And I was certain that this interest could be excited through that most powerful communications medium, television. Sagan's own interest and enthusiasm for the universe were so vivid and infectious, his screen presence so engaging, that viewers and readers couldn't help but be caught up in his vision. From stars in their ''billions and billions'' to the amino acids in the primordial ocean, Sagan communicated a feeling for science as a process of discovery. Inevitably, some of the science in Cosmos has been outdated in the years since 1980--but Sagan's sense of wonder is ageless. --Mary Ellen Curtin Review 'Enticing, imaginative, readable, iridescent' - THE NEW YORK TIMES This book is about science in its broadest human context, how science and civilization grew up together. It is the story of our long journey of discovery and the forces and individuals who helped to shape modern science, including Democritus, Hypatia, Kepler, Newton, Huygens, Champollion, Lowell and Humason. The book also explores spacecraft missions of discovery of the nearby planets, the research in the Library of ancient Alexandria, the human brain, Egyptian hieroglyphics, the origin of life, the death of the Sun, the evolution of galaxies and the origins of matter, suns and worlds. The author retraces the fifteen billion years of cosmic evolution that have transformed matter into life and consciousness, enabling the cosmos to wonder about itself. He considers the latest findings on life elsewhere and how we might communicate with the beings of other worlds. ~ WorldCat.org

The best-selling science book ever published in the English language, COSMOS is a magnificent overview of the past, present, and future of science. Brilliant and provocative, it traces today's knowledge and scientific methods to their historical roots, blending science and philosophy in a wholly energetic and irresistible way.

Based on Sagan's 13 part television series, "Cosmos" is about science in its broadest human context, and how science and civilization grew up together.

Overview: The best-selling science book ever published in the English language, COSMOS is a magnificent overview of the past, present, and future of science. Brilliant and provocative, it traces today's knowledge and scientific methods to their historical roots, blending science and philosophy in a wholly energetic and irresistible way. Based on Sagan's 13 part television series, "Cosmos" is about science in its broadest human context, and how science and civilization grew up together [Vol. 1.] The shores of the cosmic ocean ; One voice in the cosmic fugue [Vol. 2.] The harmony of worlds ; Heaven and hell [Vol. 3.] Blues for a red planet ; Travelers's tales. [Vol. 4.] The backbone of night ; Journeys in space and time [Vol. 5.] The lives of the stars ; The edge of forever [Vol. 6.] The persistence of memory ; Encyclopaedia Galactica [Vol. 7.] Who speaks for earth? ; A dialogue Sagan-Turner. Carl Sagan discusses the cosmic relationship between man and the universe.