Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium Hardcover – June 2, 1997

Dr. Sagan does it again in his last book. This one, a bit more user friendly and science light, is a wonderful read. I couldn't put it down and was borderline in tears towards the end (coming from someone rife with defense mechanisms). We really need the revival of compassionate skepticism that Dr. Sagan's prose is the master of.Pros: for the layman, wonderfully informative, reads easy, so much wisdom and compassion.Cons: if you've read all his others there will be overlap, but that never hurts. It's kind of emotionally heavy, which again, isn't necessarily bad.

Carl Sagan's last book inspires, provokes, entertains and informs. Although much of the material is dated, each article has a theme that is much more important than the information it contains, and not at all dated. How should we approach the questions of abortion, climate change, military spending, the threat of nuclear war, faith, reason, education, equality, politics, love, life and death? Carl has been my inspiration since 1980. I can't see a day when his musings won't inspire me. While Carl is my hero, I don't accept all of his assertions and conclusions, and Carl would approve. Republicans as a party are anti-science, but I would not put that label on someone for being conservative as he does. Shouldn't military spending be viewed as a percentage of a country's GDP rather than just dollars? Isn't the presence of brain activity just as arbitrary as any measurable property of a fetus in considering the ethics of abortion? While I don't always agree with him, I do appreciate him tackling the hardest of questions. That he does so respectfully and compassionately is inspiring. I miss him every day.

This book is excellent on several levels: Scientific, Cultural, Historical, Philosophical, and on the human condition in our perilous and tentative world.Carl Sagan writes more clearly than any scientific writer I have read. His prose is a pleasure to read.The Epilogue, written by his wife [Annie] captures Dr. Sagan's honesty, dedication, and courage at the very end of his life... >5 stars!P.S. If you haven't read Sagan's Pulitzer Prize winner: " Dragons of Eden," you will thank me for recommending it...

I wish I had re-read the review before starting to read this in Kindle format (which doesn't show you the cover or promo quotes). Had I done that I would have realized this is a collection of essays. Without that, I kept trying to figure out "where the book is going." The writing is very good, and the thoughts from Sagan are excellent, as always. It is a shame we have lost such a brilliant, yet clear thinker.

I'm a big fan of the late Carl Sagan and have read many of his books. Most 5 stars. See my reviews.This was the last book he wrote as he was dieing with a rare form of blood cancer. His wife Ann Druyan has 2 chapters she co wrote in the book as well as the Epilogue as Carl was dieing with pneumonia caused by his weakened immune system from chemotherapy against his blood cancer. She had to write the acknowledgements as Carl had passed away.In Billions and Billions we see a picture of both the late Johnnie Carson( a serious amateur astronomer) and Carl laughing on the Tonight Show. Carl says he never used the term Billions and Billions but that it became linked to him as a possible description of all the stars in the galaxies.Carl did it all. Co founder and past president of the Planetary society I belong to. He had over 20 honorary degrees from various colleges and universities bestowed on him. He was a fantastic author of many books and scientific articles including the highly successful Cosmos TV series, the book Contact and more. He had the uncanny ability to write difficult scientific ideas in ways for the average layman to understand in an enjoyable reading session. He also helped in the NASA Viking Mars robot landing mission, the gold plated disc that is supposed to last a billion years sent out into deep space with Voyager having mankind's descriptions, music and more, as well as helping to understand the Venus Greenhouse effect that has Venus at almost 900F is hot enough to melt lead and tin with an atmosphere 90 times as dense as Earth's.He was much more optimistic than me on the possibility of many different kinds of life in the universe in some very harsh environments. Carl tried not to put down others scientific theories and ideas but wanted data in the open for all to test. Not closed data and wishful thinking.In Billions and Billions again we see his ease of handling huge numbers by scientific notation. There was a very interesting chapter on the destruction of the Ozone layer and the steps we have taken to repair it before its too late and what more needs done. Then there is a chapter on Global warming and a warning that he hopes it not too late and more must be done to get off fossil fuels as soon as possible before we have a runaway greenhouse effect like planet Venus. His biggest fears is the 70,000 plus hydrogen bombs/weapons stockpiled by the US and ex Soviet Union. Carl explains there are so many nuclear weapons that could cause a mankind extinction level event. He says the risk is too great and all countries must disarm now. He even gave a speech to both the US government and Soviet leaders about the need to trust one another to disarm before its too late.Carl writes about having to go to the head cancer center in Seattle 4 times to battle his reoccurring blood cancer and his repeated bone marrow transplants from his younger sister Cari. His battle for me was heartbreaking and I had much empathy for him. I shed a few tears reading the later part of the book. He tells his kids including Sasha and youngest 5 year old Sam he loves them all. Anne Druyan's closing remark on the back cover made me shed a tear too. It was emotional to me and I got choked up.Carl's wonderful family and wife Annie was there for him in the end at his bed side.Dr. Carl Sagan a great scientist/astronomer who helped so many to partially understand the wonders of the universe and fought long and hard against nuclear weapons, global warming and the Ozone layer depletion. A wonderful father and husband. Again as a 40 plus year amateur astronomer I miss him and even though he never knew of me, I'm glad to call him my friend. 5 stars a great book.

I'm actually embarrassed for not reading this sooner. Everyone on the planet ought to read it. Maybe if more had, beginning at publication date, or at the turn of the century, we might not be in the more dire situation we as a species Find ourselves in today just, 20+ years later.

Carl Sagan's television series "Cosmos" aired before i was born yet Mr. Sagan has become an inspiration to me over the past few years. He dedicates his book to his wife Ann, who is one in 6 billion. I would extend this to the late Carl Sagan as well. This is a very insightful read filled with interesting ideas and speculations that we as the human species need to address. Billions and Billions, was written over 14 years ago yet the message still carries weight. For those with a tendency towards closed mindedness turn away now. For those prepared to go on an academic journey from a man passionate about science jump on and enjoy the ride! Rest in peace Carl, hopefully we can pick up where you left off.

My favourite book of all time. Sagan's last book is not about science or physics in particular-although it offers a good insight into the progression of science - particularly astronomy- over human history. But this book is about humans, about humanity, about religion, economics, politics, hopes for the future, environmental problems and more. this book offers an insight into one of the greatest communicators of the 20th century. I'd HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn more about the Billions and Billions of humans, stars, and planets out there. ultimately, it helped me open my eyes to the big problems out there. a phenomenal piece of work. the last chapter is brilliant (as are all the rest). RIP Carl Sagan.

I have read this before and its classic stuff, well worth a read. Sagan really opens up your mind to the limitless possibilities. 5 star reading. I got his for my own library.

Although written quite a few years ago and cosmology has moved on, the messages have not, excellent.

all as it state in the description

sagan is sagan.thank's