Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space

I am old enough to remember these revelations as fresh new science through the 70s and 80s, however this book still stands up strongly today and gets people thinking about space exploration and the way it has managed to break down borders and the generally peaceful way that non territorial science and exploration can lead mankind if we only allow it. Brilliant, thoughtful words by Carl. Still worth a read / listen. Also has great nostalgic value and as a Brit found it like re-watching old sky at nights just to remember with wonderment as new discoveries are made and the hopes and aims of yet to come ventures that I can I can smile wistfully whilst knowing that missions launched decade(s) ago like Cassini, NEAR Shoemaker, Ulysses and Rosetta’s Spacecraft have been the successes that were hoped for.The Audible version is only in small part read by Carl Sagan and whilst his wife and colleague does a fine job at finishing off the book it sounds like she is trying to be as earnest as she knew her husband to be yet lacks something.

Carl Sagan viewed space exploration as both a natural consequence of our nomadic past and an essential constituent of our survival: in Pale Blue Dot, he articulates this vision, making an elegant and compelling argument for a programme of sustained space-exploration in order to cheat the cosmos of humanity's ultimate extinction.Given Sagan's prodigious output over an all too brief life, recycled material from earlier work is to be expected and the book opens with one of his recurrent themes, revisiting the idea that science continues to diminish humanity's over-inflated sense of importance and plots our species' ignominious ("great" ch.3 pp.20-37) demotion from cosmic "purpose" to universal bit part. Sagan also covers other favourite topics, including global warming and weapons of mass destruction, synthesising these themes into a comprehensive argument that humanity has reached a turning point in its evolution with the ability for self-destruction without, perhaps, the wisdom to prevent it. However, whilst some of the early content may feel familiar, this is not a simple rehashing of old arguments: it is a grand vision of humanity's future and, with his characteristic clarity and restraint, Sagan makes a powerful argument that our innate curiosity will eventually drive us to the stars.For obvious reasons, the space exploration review appears a little dated but Sagan's intimate involvement with much of America's attempts to explore our solar system and unique ability to collaborate with Soviet scientists makes it a fascinating and insightful read nonetheless. Moreover, the discussion is really a vehicle for Sagan's speculations about the potential for such adventure and he proceeds to indulge his imagination for cosmic housekeeping, boulder hopping and interplanetary squatting! This book can leave no doubt that Sagan was a true visionary and his premature demise is a loss to us all.Perhaps not quite as good as The Demon-Haunted World, but very, very close!

I got this as a present for my boyfriend and he really liked it! The book was in excellent condition, even though it was described as "very good condition" which I was pleased about. None of the pages were torn and there was minimal wear and tear on the jacket of the book so it looked very new even though it's a first edition. The pages are made out of a good material so all of the images are really high quality, I'm really happy with the service and the book makes an excellent gift

This book is in excellent condition, it has a truly unique perspective of someone whom recognised is important for humanity, and fought to ensure this perspective would be remembered well beyond his days against all odds.

Difficult to not put a 5 star for this book. This is confirmed by all the previous reviews.Carl Sagan truly put ourselves into scale in his magnificient book. The title says it all.The image of us inhabiting this little pale blue dot seen from voyager is striking and in some sense vertiginous. A reminder of our place in the universe.To be read by anybody interested in the future of humanity and its place in the universe.

I was not really expecting to get the book really because it is a scientific book and was printed so long ago. However, when it did arrive, I was delighted to get it from Blackwells in Oxford - where else?- of course.

Amazing quality, worth the buy.

The several books on this order all arrived in good order from three suppliers and when expected. Everything fine.

Amazing book. Reads like a suspense novel.

Carl Sagen was a great communicator. His talent lies in taking a difficult subject (astrophysics) and explaining it in a fashion that is not only accessible to everyone but also exciting. The book is filled with images that invoke wonder and passages that inspire anyone interested in what lies beyond our atmosphere. This book invites the reader to look outward into the cosmos, and inward at our humanity.

Best purchase ever

Comprato per un regalo. Destinatario soddisfatto.

Good book