Carl Sagan - (Greenwood Biographies) by Ray Spangenburg & Kit Moser (Hardcover)

About the Book

The American astronomer Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was one of the best-known scientists of his time. A prolific writer and television personality, he was creator and host of Cosmos, an enormously popular television series that explained the wonders and intricacies of astronomy to millions of television viewers. Gifted with the ability to communicate difficult scientific concepts to the average person, Sagan opened up the wonders of science to hundreds of thousands more through his many books and magazine articles. But in addition to his talents as a science popularizer, Sagan was a first-rate scientist. Ever persistent in exploring the possibility of life on other planets in the Universe, he was a pioneer in the field now known as astrobiology, a major thrust of NASA's current planetary explorations

This book takes a fascinating look at all aspects of the life of Carl Sagan: Sagan the working scientist, who was an inspired and creative participant in the forefront of the new and exciting era of astronomy opened up by the technological breakthroughs of the space age; Sagan the advocate for science, who could expound on the beauties and joys of science as well as point out the follies and foibles of pseudoscience; and Sagan the activist, who helped raise our awareness to the perils of the Nuclear Age that threatened all of us. Following the arc of Sagan's personal and professional life, this book examines both the man and the provocative ideas he brought to this new era, always seeking to capture the infectious enthusiasm and love of communication that infused Carl Sagan's life and work.

Book Synopsis

The American astronomer Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was one of the best-known scientists of his time. A prolific writer and television personality, he was creator and host of Cosmos, an enormously popular television series that explained the wonders and intricacies of astronomy to millions of television viewers. Gifted with the ability to communicate difficult scientific concepts to the average person, Sagan opened up the wonders of science to hundreds of thousands more through his many books and magazine articles. But in addition to his talents as a science popularizer, Sagan was a first-rate scientist. Ever persistent in exploring the possibility of life on other planets in the Universe, he was a pioneer in the field now known as astrobiology, a major thrust of NASA's current planetary explorations

This book takes a fascinating look at all aspects of the life of Carl Sagan: Sagan the working scientist, who was an inspired and creative participant in the forefront of the new and exciting era of astronomy opened up by the technological breakthroughs of the space age; Sagan the advocate for science, who could expound on the beauties and joys of science as well as point out the follies and foibles of pseudoscience; and Sagan the activist, who helped raise our awareness to the perils of the Nuclear Age that threatened all of us. Following the arc of Sagan's personal and professional life, this book examines both the man and the provocative ideas he brought to this new era, always seeking to capture the infectious enthusiasm and love of communication that infused Carl Sagan's life and work.

Review Quotes

"Carl Sagan: A Biography comes closer to the Carl I knew than other previous attempts at biography. Authors Moser and Spangenburg capture the drama, passion and integrity of Carl's lifelong quest to know the cosmos. May this work kindle that fire in others."-Ann Druyan Carl Sagan's widow and longtime collaborator

?[I] heartily recommend this book as not just a biography of one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century--but also as a great introduction to the fields of planetary science and exobiology.?-YPB Library Services

?The authors smoothly chart his rise to the top as the world's first international television astronomer ... this biography does him justice.?-Astronomy Now

?[W]ritten in a popular and readable style...?-Spaceflight

?[W]ritten in a popular and readable style...??Spaceflight

"ÝI¨ heartily recommend this book as not just a biography of one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century--but also as a great introduction to the fields of planetary science and exobiology."-YPB Library Services

"ÝW¨ritten in a popular and readable style..."-Spaceflight

"[W]ritten in a popular and readable style..."-Spaceflight

"The authors smoothly chart his rise to the top as the world's first international television astronomer ... this biography does him justice."-Astronomy Now

"[I] heartily recommend this book as not just a biography of one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century--but also as a great introduction to the fields of planetary science and exobiology."-YPB Library Services

About the Author

RAY SPANGENBURG, with Kit Moser has written many books on science and the history of science, including Niels Boher: Gentle Genius of Denmark (1995) and the On the Shoulders of Giants series (1994)

KIT MOSER, with Ray Spangenburg, has written many books on science and the history of science, including Niels Boher: Gentle Genius of Denmark (1995) and the On the Shoulders of Giants series (1994)