Cosmos by Carl Sagan (1985) Mass Market Paperback

It was, once again, a true learning experience to view Carl Sagan explaining the origins of the universe, and our place in it. Having viewed the series many years ago, one can only marvel at how well this series has stood the test of time.It is the basis for the newest version now airing on broadcast TV, which is a tribute in its own right. Highly recommended for all science buffs, and inquiring minds both young and old alike.

There are "great" books, and then there are books that are truly essential; this is a rare book that educates you and delights you at the same time. (I wish every college textbook contained the same mix of facts and fascination as this book does.) COSMOS was the first book I have ever read that left me feeling that I had gained ESSENTIAL information that had never been provided to me during a high school or college course.

Great book. The space history can be a little dry but I find it interesting. Best of all are Carl's musings about humanity and it's direction and faults. Something I deeply agree with.
Confirmation bias, I suppose, but still eye-opening.

Cosmos is tremendously informative. Carl Sagan has brought understanding of a very difficult subject down to the common man's level. His knowledge of the subject has enabled me to grasp even the smallest detail. A pleasure to read. Not like a text book but could easily pass to be used as one.

Not just from the standpoint of the cosmos but also from the standing of learning more about science and its history. Feel this should be required reading in schools around the country but with the stupidity that seems to be taking over the country can't hold out much hope for that happening.

I've been watching this and was bothered to notice that there are certain inconsistencies between this version and the original wherein cuts are made to the video.

A specific instance is in Episode 3, just after the transition from Brahe's "death" to Sagan in the candles, the Spanish version cuts in some extra footage at the 32 minute mark.

For the Spanish dubbing, this makes sense, as Spanish (in some cases) takes longer to say things than English does.

However, this was not "fixed" in the English audio, so there is some jumping about. This is all well and good if you're listening to the Spanish, but is rather jarring in the English.

Perhaps this is part of the price... fewer in dollars, more in editing "problems". (I understand it's only a problem in the English.)

Brilliant and with updates still fresh after 30 plus years. But mostly for an unscientific mind Sagan instills a marvelous sense of wonder. Makes me want to read more about science. Neil DeGrass Tyson's Cosmos is excellent too with all the bells and whistles of special effects, but Carl Sagan's has special flair.

This was a very interesting book and different from my usual choices. I found a majority of the information easy to understand, and the stuff that was over my head was easy to ignore (i.e. it didn't keep me from moving on in the book). I look at the skies in a whole new way now. Thanks Carl.

Although a bit dated, this timeless classic is a wonderful read. The musings of a brilliant mind on a variety of subjects and how everything fits together....even today, after decades of reading and rereading....something new always falls into place.

This was an incredible man that had a fantastic gift for simplifying some of the most complex concepts man has ever face, to bring the curiosity and wonder to everyone. I remember being fascinated by his television show as a kid and this book fills me with the same thirst for knowledge.

I decided that for every negative review I write about a book I didn't like, I'd also write a positive review for a book I did like. So this is a positive review. This book stood out as one of the best books I'd read in the past five to ten years, if not longer. If you want to know how the Universe works, read this book now.

This is the type of book that youngsters read in middle school that inspires them to become scientists. So if you want your kid to become a scientist, get him/her this book.

I was little disappointed. During 1090s it was the talk of the town. I am glad I didn't spend $180.0 in '90s. most of the documentary is from inside Carl Sagan's office. I had good naps watching it though. It would be different If I had seen it in theater. I watched it on 60" TV but its not the same.

Cosmos: a very good explanation of evolution, & the universe, carl had a gift to explain to the average person subjects the average person could relate to & understand, especially evolution versus creation, that is if you have a open mind, Carl painted a picture of a tiny planet, in a big universe , that makes us all alone , & very unique >>> morat.

I loved this book. Sagan writes in a very eloquent yet approachable way and introduces us to our simple beginnings as starstuff, and lays out the possible trajectories for our species. Should we continue on the path outlined, and privilege learning and discovery, we will reach our potential.

Totally mind-blowing take on our place in the Universe written before it's time. It is readable for the layman (non-scientist) without dumbing down the concepts too far. First time I read a book by Carl Sagan but definitely worth the read if you want to think and learn!

I was delighted with the arrival of this book. It is filled with astute observations, insights, facts, and information to provide many fascinating reading hours for someone like me... an interested astronomer.

The classic is still amazing, deep, though provoking. Besides conveying wonder of the Cosmos, Sagan also calls us to notice how humankind is at a critical adolescent juncture. We have so much technology and can either evolve to a peaceable future-looking species or destroy ourselves.

Not only is this a brilliant written and scientifically valid piece of literature, but it is an arguably landmark volume in the the annuls of popular expression, tying in human perspective of the universe to the wonders of astronomy through the ages. If you haven't yet read it, I envy you. A life-changing adventure awaits you!

An excellent book written by a great author, who is very popular and thorough in his superb writings!!

This is a very good and well-written book by a great author, who is most thorough and involved in his popular writings!!!

What can you really say about Carl Sagan? The man was a genius and a visionary, but he was able to communicate to people who are not scientists in an enjoyable way. I love anything that Carl Sagan produced.

It is amazing how he effortlessly goes fr minute organisms to the endless universe. This books tells you how small we humans are compared to the cosmos but still how rare we are. It took me some time to finish though. Patiently go through it and enjoy each page. Finally done.. Phew!

What can you really say about Carl Sagan? The man was a genius and a visionary, but he was able to communicate to people who are not scientists in an enjoyable way. I love anything that Carl Sagan produced.

It is amazing how he effortlessly goes fr minute organisms to the endless universe. This books tells you how small we humans are compared to the cosmos but still how rare we are. It took me some time to finish though. Patiently go through it and enjoy each page. Finally done.. Phew!

Easily understandable book describing the complex scientific concepts of evolution, astronomy, and our human history from a cosmological perspective. This may be a future classic to be read by our ancestors if we make it. It makes a great argument for us to divert our efforts from war to the study of the cosmos.

Overall I thought Cosmos was a nice read. At times it got a little heavy with the scientific jargon and all I wanted to do was run a pick up a fiction book. But before I could I would come to a new paragraph or chapter that drew me right back in.

If you enjoy science, math or are intrigued by space I would highly recommend this book.

Carl Sagan was one of the best at bringing science into our homes and in a way that most of us could understand it. His book is a classic and should be in the library of anyone who wonders what else is out there.

Dr. Sagan's classic work is classic for a reason. This book nicely melds history and science allowing the reader to feel a deeper understanding of nature without being lost in scientific or mathematical complexity. I strongly recommend this fantastic book to anyone with even a passing interest in how the universe works.

Carl Sagan was (sadly not an IS) the prime conveyor of knowledge of our Universe..
His ability to convey to the common man how "Things worked" has never been surpassed. Simply put... He had his own way of sharing this knowledge, that will never be surpassed by anyone.... His imprint is here in this "COSMOS"... and there isn't any more definitive book or other wise that is available to the average man, that will suffice...

A wonderfully written book. Very informative and packed with insight. Gives facts and leeway to imagine our universe. Cosmos created a desire for me to know and understand more about our world. I read it because of the remaking of Cosmos, the TV series. I think I will get invoked with our local Observatory.