Billions & Billions

Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium

By: Carl Sagan

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo, Ann Druyan

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's Summary

In the final book of his astonishing career, Carl Sagan brilliantly examines the burning questions of our lives, our world, and the universe around us. These luminous, entertaining essays travel both the vastness of the cosmos and the intimacy of the human mind, posing such fascinating questions as how did the universe originate and how will it end, and how can we meld science and compassion to meet the challenges of the coming century? Here, too, is a rare, private glimpse of Sagan's thoughts about love, death, and God as he struggled with fatal disease. Ever forward-looking and vibrant with the sparkle of his unquenchable curiosity, Billions & Billions is a testament to one of the great scientific minds of our day.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©1997 The Estate of Carl Sagan (P)2017 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

To The Stars

Pretty good treatise on the infinite wonders and vastness of the universe, although I did find Sagan's thoughts on life after life a little depressing. I'd hoped for a science-based rah-rah team to boost my flagging faith in the immortal soul.

Narrator Adenrele Ojo has a pleasant voice but needs to pick up the pace a little. (Actually, a lot.)
Most disconcerting, though, is her linguistic tic of altering the consonant blend STR to SHTR, so we end up with words like shtrike, chemishtry, ec-shtreme, and so on. It's difficult to take seriously comments on an imminent "catashtrophe".

A valuable, broad perspective on humanity

The content of Carl Sagans words in this book are detailed, with an eloquent passion and concern for our species and the ones we share this planet with. This final piece of his life's body of work has emphasised what his previous work has done for me personally, inspired a will to question, be inquisitive as to the truth of matters, not shrouding in mystecism... and above all, to acknowledge the intrinsic connection, web that we live within this cosmos.

Our generation's most pressing issues

Don't be put off by the first couple of chapters. The nature of the book becomes clear as you go along. These are somewhat randomly chosen topics, but their existential relevance ties them together. Sagan is both prescient and, sadly, overly optimistic in his treatment of global warming. He brings nuance - yes, nuance - to the usually thumbs-up, thumbs-down topic of abortion. By the end, you will have thought more deeply and become more informed about humanity and the universe. It is a wonderful encore.

Sobbed like a baby

The book was absolutely amazing. When it got to Carl's final days the story became heart wrenching. And listening to Ann's recalling of Carl's final moments, taking his death with such dignity was tough but astounding.

As usual, beautiful

No one writes about science quite like him. The epilogue will make you cry.

The narrator for the majority of the book is smooth; a real hot to listen to.

Very enjoyable and enlightening

My favorite Sagan non fiction easy to read I come back to it often. Not just astronomy but many explanations of fascinating facets of science and humans on Earth.

Amazing and beautiful.

Fans of Sagan cannot miss this essay into life, the universe, and everything. Regarding the audio version, at first it was jarring to hear a female's voice reading the words of Carl Sagan, but I very quickly got used to Adenrele Ojo's voice and really enjoyed her incredible rendition. Ann Druyan's epilogue nearly made me cry. Hearing her voice reading her own writing was so much better than merely reading the words from a page. Do yourself a favor and give it a listen now!

A Space-View of the Future of Man-Kind

Carl Sagans book digs into the big questions regarding the future of our species, and leads us to the heart of the biggest issues we are facing in our time.

If you want a broad, clear and truly objective perspective on the current state of things on this planet from a 10,000 foot view - this book is for you

The story this book ends with, is worth the price alone.

Vertchu

Worthwhile

enjoyed it and worthwhile, but middle section on environmental issues has now, partially thanks to him, become fairly common knowledge, and this section felt a bit preachy and tedious.
his commentary and n abortion is very balanced and helped me resolve my own conflicts over the issue, for which I am grateful

Our Earth is small and we are many, beware!

I was expecting a book about space but instead got a grounded narrative on the problems we face here on Earth, among one another. A lot of what's Sagan discusses in this book are commonly discussed challenges that we still face today. The need for improvement in better changes are even more urgent than they were 20 years ago.

A beautiful and inspiring read

A moving, profound, wonderful collection of work from a man who's expansive thinking has made us all the wiser and richer.

Disappointed

Love this book but was quite put off by the performance and decided to re read instead of listen.