Carl Sagan
Igniting worldwide wonder about the cosmos through poetic science communication.
Biography
Carl Sagan was an American astronomer, cosmologist, and science communicator born in Brooklyn, New York in 1934. His 1980 television series Cosmos became the most widely watched series in PBS history and inspired a generation of scientists. Sagan played a leading role in NASA's planetary exploration programs and was instrumental in the Pioneer and Voyager missions. He authored more than 20 books before his death in 1996, earning a Pulitzer Prize for The Dragons of Eden.
Best Starting Book
Cosmos
The book that made millions fall in love with science β Sagan's magnum opus that weaves astronomy, biology, and history into a breathtaking narrative.
Reading Order
Cosmos
The companion to his legendary TV series β a sweeping, poetic journey through the universe that defines Sagan's voice.
The Demon-Haunted World
Sagan's passionate defense of critical thinking β more relevant now than when it was written.
Pale Blue Dot
Inspired by the famous Voyager photograph, a humbling meditation on Earth's place in the universe.
Contact
His only novel β a scientifically rigorous and deeply moving first-contact story.
The Dragons of Eden
A Pulitzer-winning exploration of human intelligence and brain evolution that showcases Sagan's range.