Comet

by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan

Book Overview

What are these graceful visitors to our skies? We now know that they bring both life and death and teach us about our origins.

Comet begins with a breathtaking journey through space astride a comet. Pulitzer Prize-winning astronomer Carl Sagan, author of Cosmos and Contact, and writer Ann Druyan explore the origin, nature, and future of comets, and the exotic myths and portents attached to them. The authors show how comets...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345412222
• ISBN13: 9780345412225
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Ameteur and Armchair Astronomers will love this book

I would classify myself as the Armchair type - I don't own a telescope, and shamefully I do not know my constellations, but I have enjoyed many popular books on the subject. Having just finished reading this book I am sorely tempted to get a telescope or at least go out and find a local star party (where ameteur astronomers set up their equipment and gladly share viewing opportunities with strangers). This book was truely one of my favorite reads on the subject in recent years. To be sure, the primary focus of the book is about comets and I thought that there could not be enough here to justify an entire book - wrong!!! Sagan takes the reader on a very interesting and inspiring tour of the solar system while also teaching some interesting astronomy history. The chapter on Haley alone teaches about the early history of astronomy and tells a fascinating story of a brilliant scientist about whom most of us have heard little beyond the discovery of the comet which carries his name. Also discussed in this book is the likely connection between comets and the end of the Dinosaurs 65,000,000 years ago (before which the largest mammals were mouse size, according to the book) and the current interest astronmers have in comets and asteroids as a potential threat in our current age. Another great feature of this book is that the many chapters may be easily read in any desired order; Sagan kindly refers us to other chapters with supporting material - so when he talks about the "sand bank" theory of comets - he tells you which chapter covered that idea. I couldn't put the book down (for long).

Review of Sagan's Comet

This is one of my favorite non-fiction books. Sagan does his usual great job of translating complex information into enjoyable reading. I recommend this book to anyone with even a slight interest in the subject.

Good book

Dr. Sagan, as usual, has written a book that truly captured my attention. The photos and drawings were superb and the writing as usual was direct and not written in techno babble. Dr. Sagan takes the time to explain theories and takes us on a roving path through the solar system. I couldn't figure out how some of the topics related to comets, but to be honest with you, I did not really care. I love his writings and I am sorry that he is no longer with us.

one of the best astronomical books about comets today

I found Comet to be a wonderful book, teaching one alot more than just comets. It was funny and knowledgable at the same time making it a great read for anyone!!!

Very inventive, originality oozes from the pages.

The shear inventiveness and style supercedes all other science fiction books I've read. The technology involved in The Comet transcends to a future just out of reach of today in some cases.