From Book News, Inc.
This concise biography is suitable for high school students and the general public, whom Sagan (1934-96) so eloquently addressed in his books and his popular Cosmos public television series. Two veteran science writers trace his personal life, accomplishments, and unconventional career as an astronomer and educator. Photos include Sagan with a model of a Viking lander for searching for life on Mars and testifying on behalf of the U.S. space program.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Book Description
The American astronomer Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was one of the best-known scientists of his time. A prolific writer and television personality, he was creator and host of Cosmos, an enormously popular television series that explained the wonders and intricacies of astronomy to millions of television viewers. Gifted with the ability to communicate difficult scientific concepts to the average person, Sagan opened up the wonders of science to hundreds of thousands more through his many books and magazine articles. But in addition to his talents as a science popularizer, Sagan was a first-rate scientist. Ever persistent in exploring the possibility of life on other planets in the Universe, he was a pioneer in the field now known as astrobiology, a major thrust of NASA's current planetary explorations

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The American astronomer Carl Sagan (1934-1996) was one of the best-known scientists of his time. A prolific writer and television personality, he was creator and host of Cosmos, and enormously popular television series that explained the wonders and intricacies of astronomy to millions of television viewers. Gifted with the ability to communicate difficult scientific concepts to the average person, Sagan opened up the wonders of science to hundreds of thousands more through his many books and magazine articles. But in addition to his talents as a science popularizer, Sagan was a first-rate scientist. Ever persistent in exploring the possibility of life on other planets in the Universe, he was a pioneer in the field now known as astrobiology, a major thrust of NASA's current planetary explorations. This book takes a fascinating look at all aspects of the life of Carl Sagan: Sagan the working scientist, who was an inspired and creative participant in the forefront of the new and exciting era of astronomy opened up by the technological breakthroughs of the space age. Sagan the advocate for science, who could expound on the beauties and joys of science as well as point out the follies and foibles of pseudoscience. Sagan the activist, who helped raise our awareness to the perils of the Nuclear Age that threatened all of us.