Conversations with Carl Sagan (Literary Conversations) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "At a time when there is so much provocative nonsense around, it's nice to encounter some provocative sense..." (more)
Key Phrases: Carl Sagan, Charlie Rose, Jonathan Cott (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

It's rare for a scientist to have enough cultural cachet to become the subject of comedy spoofs, one of Carl Sagan's many unusual accomplishments thanks to his zeal for bringing science to the public square in his best--selling books and his seminal television series, Cosmos. Mr. "Billions and Billions" was a brilliant, erudite astronomer and astrophysicist with a strong interest in extraterrestrial life and a deep concern for life on Earth. He was also charismatic, energetic, warm, and eloquent, as the editor of this lively and valuable interview collection notes in his crisp introduction. Head uses the words love, passion, and wonder often in his profile, and they are keys to Sagan's success. An advocate for science education, space exploration, environmental protection, and nuclear disarmament, Sagan was controversial and a great favorite with journalists. Head has selected 16 engaging conversations from such popular venues as Rolling Stone, Psychology Today, The Charlie Rose Show, and NPR, and it's a boon to connect with Sagan's knowledge, wisdom, and generosity a decade after his early death at 62. Donna Seaman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

Though a well-regarded physicist Carl Sagan (1934-1996) is best-known as a writer of popular nonfiction and science fiction and as the host of the PBS series Cosmos. Through his writings and spoken commentary, he worked to popularize interests in astronomy, the universe, and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. From the beginning of his public career, when he co-wrote Intelligent Life in the Universe to the very end as he worked on the 1997 film adaptation of his novel Contact, these subjects absorbed him.

This interest in space was rooted in his understanding of the smallness and vulnerability of humanity measured against the immense size and power of the universe. This profound philosophical humility, mixed with personal exuberance, comes through in Conversations with Carl Sagan. In interviews and profiles, Sagan discusses with verve a wide variety of topics--the environment, nuclear disarmament, religion, politics, extraterrestrial life, astronomy, physics, robotics. Whether he is discussing his science fiction or his well-researched nonfiction works, his voice embraces reason and skepticism.

This volume shows how Sagan, a lifelong skeptic, refined his views and expressed amazement that Earth, for all his belief in extraterrestrial life, encompasses everything about which he cared.

Tom Head of Jackson, Mississippi, is a writer and poet whose work includes Women and Families (Voices from the Civil War), Possessions and Exorcisms (Fact or Fiction?), and 1966 (The Turbulent 60s).

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: University Press of Mississippi (January 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578067367
• ISBN-13: 978-1578067367
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #579,347 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Collection of Interviews with Carl Sagan, March 21, 2006

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a communicator and popularizer of science Carl Sagan was probably the best known scientist of his time. Although a Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics, his speaking style and his far ranging thoughts about life here on earth and life elsewhere in the universe made him one of the most quoted scientists anywhere. Perhaps this was because of the great interest in space at that time, but that's not important.

Among the large volume and widely based writing that Dr. Sagan did, he also was interviewed by numerous people. Collected here in this book are sixteen interviews given over a period of twenty-six years. The content of the interviews are likewise far ranging. They cover scientific things like the posibility of life on Mars (we still don't know for sure), to life elsewhere in the universe, to communications with other species, the scientific method, religion and life in general.

Up until now these interviews were avaiable only from the individual sources, when available at all. It is great to see them in print once again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interviews and profiles discuss all the interests he holds for environment, astronomy, physics, and social issues, May 20, 2006

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Carl Sagan is best known for his hosting of the PBS series Cosmos but actually has a long history of work in the astronomy field, and an interest in science and space which extends from his childhood - so it's fascinating to learn about his efforts to popularize his interests in CONVERSATIONS WITH CARL SAGAN. Here interviews and profiles discuss all the interests he holds for environment, astronomy, physics, and social issues. Subject chapters blend with interviews to make for a fine survey.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice piece, March 8, 2007

By	Jacx (Illinois USA) - See all my reviews

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I love reading how the conversations really happened. He came alive again for me, his passion shines.