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Billions & Billions
- Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium
- Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo, Ann Druyan
- Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins
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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.
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What listeners say about Billions & Billions
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Judy
- 12-31-19
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 verbal 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".
33 people found this helpful
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- Courtney Cowan
- 04-16-19
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.
18 people found this helpful
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- And vice versa
- 07-23-18
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.
16 people found this helpful
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- Devon
- 05-15-19
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.
13 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 06-30-20
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
7 people found this helpful
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- xivera
- 02-22-20
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.
6 people found this helpful
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- Rod A. Galindo
- 10-22-19
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!
6 people found this helpful
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- Hank
- 01-09-20
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.
5 people found this helpful
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- Peter H Adams
- 05-11-20
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
4 people found this helpful
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- Zelda
- 04-30-20
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.
4 people found this helpful
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- Robert Barnes
- 11-04-20
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.
1 person found this helpful
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- (elizabeth)ann donnelly
- 11-13-20
Disappointed
Love this book but was quite put off by the performance and decided to re read instead of listen.
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- E. J. Lizier
- 12-02-18
Clear and concise.
Reading this reminded me how much I mourn Sagan's passing. His level of understanding and clarity of voice are sadly missed.
I only wish he could have read his own work.
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- Luke Thomson
- 09-30-17
Incredibly moving
Wonderful collection of assorted works by Carl Sagan. The epilogue by Ann Druyan is extremely touching. Would highly recommend for any fans of Carl Sagan or science in general.