CosmosCosmos
What it's about
Written alongside his landmark TV series, Carl Sagan's tour of the universe covers fifteen billion years of cosmic history: how stars are born and die, how life might have begun, what we've learned from planets and comets, and the long human story of how science pieced it all together, from ancient Greek astronomers to the Voyager spacecraft. Throughout, Sagan asks what our place is in a universe so vast.
Why it's worth reading
Sagan makes science feel like wonder, and his prose can make you see the night sky differently for the rest of your life. Some details have dated since 1980, but its spirit hasn't.
You'll love it if you liked
A Brief History of Time, The Making of the Atomic Bomb or Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid
Good to know
Some science is out of date (it predates exoplanets and dark energy), which most readers find part of its charm. No math is needed.
By the numbers
- Readers96 out of 100 · counts 40%+44
- Critics28 out of 100 · counts 14%+4
- Bestseller78 out of 100 · counts 32% (its stronger lane)+28
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 15%+0
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero.
National Book Award (Nonfiction) finalist (1981). One of the best-selling books ever (about 40 million copies). 4.40★ from 165K Goodreads ratings.
Where it ranks
- #5 of the 87 science and ideas books we rank
- #10 of the 520 classics we rank
- #42 of the 1,405 books we rank
Bestseller
- One of the best-selling books ever (about 40 million copies)
- #1 New York Times bestseller (16 weeks at #1)
Shortlisted
- National Book Award (Nonfiction) finalist (1981)
Reads as
True story, Thought-provoking
More by Carl Sagan
The Dragons of Eden: Speculations of the Evolution of Human Intelligence
Broca's BrainIf you like this, read next
The Making of the Atomic Bomb
The Lord of the Rings
Dune
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid
1984