You can purchase this book clicking here (paperback) or here (hardback).

EDITORIAL INFORMATION

Carl Sagan's many contributions to science and society have been profound and far-reaching, influencing millions of people around the world. He carried out significant research in planetary science, was closely associated with the US space program, created the highly-acclaimed television series, Cosmos, and was the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of many best-selling popular science books. Carl Sagan's Universe is a fascinating and beatifully illustrated collection of articles by a distinguished team of authors, and covers the many fields of science, education, policy making, and related areas in which Sagan worked. Written in honor to Carl Sagan's many achievements, this book will fascinate and reward anyone interested in planetary science and exploration, the search of extraterrestrial life, or the role of science in the modern world.

(Extracted from the back cover)

GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

-Contents.

-List of Contributors.

-Preface.

-Planetary Exploration.

-1. On the Occasion of Carl Sagan's Sixtieth Birthday.

-2. The Search for the Origins of Life: US Solar System Exploration, 1962-1994.

-3. Highlights of the Russian Planetary Program.

-4. From the Eyepiece to the Footpad: The Search for Life on Mars.

-Life in the Cosmos.

-5. Environments of Earth and Other Worlds.

-6. The Origin of Life in a Cosmic Context.

-7. Impacts and Life: Living in a Risky Planetary System.

-8. Extraterrestrial Intelligence: The Significance of the Search.

-9. Extraterrestrial Intelligence: The Search Programs.

-10. Do the Laws of Physics Permit Wormholes for Interstellar Travel and Machines for Time Travel?

-Interlude.

-11. The Age of Exploration.

-Science Education.

-12. Does Science Need to Be Popularized?

-13. Science and Pseudoscience.

-14. Science Education in a Democracy.

-15. The Visual Presentation of Science.

-16. Science and the Press.

-17. Science and Teaching.

-Science, Environment, and Public Policy.

-18. The Relationship of Science and Power.

-19. Nuclear-Free World?

-20. Carl Sagan and Nuclear Winter.

-21. Public Understanding of Global Climate Change.

-22. Science and Religion.

-23. Speech in Honor of Carl Sagan.

-Epilogue.

-24. Carl Sagan at Sixty.

-Index.

OUR REVIEW

This book can be considered a deserved homage to a person who was a great American scientist and divulger, Carl Sagan, recently deceased. Its contents have been written by many of those who were his friends and acquaitances in his life, such as Frank Drake, Bruce Murray, Ann Druyan, Jon Lomberg and so many others.

The book has been divided into four main themes, those that attracted Sagan's attention most, and to which he devoted his greatest divulgative efforts: planetary exploration, life in the Universe, scientific education, the relationships between science, the environment and politics. Each participant has tried to give a general vision of a given aspect, thus shaping a book which turns out to be eminently popular, and very attractive for the general readership. Also included we find the words that Sagan said during a lecture in 1994, as well as those spoken by other guests who participated together with him in the celebration of his sixtieth birthday.

The texts are accompanied by a complete bibliography and some photographs which will no doubt be appreciated by all those readers who felt and feel a true admiration for this man who swallowed audiences in universities and on television, and who made Humanity somewhat more aware about our role with respect to outer space.