First Time Read and Disappointed

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Ann Druyan should not have narrated this. Although enthusiastic, it was a chore listening to her despite the wonderful content.

What did you like best about this story?

Carl Sagan's masterful piecing together of fact and wonder.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Not really. The first few chapters read by Carl Sagan were perfect but the takeover was painful.

Any additional comments?

Read Cosmos and stop there. This book needs to be re-recorded by another reader.

33 people found this helpful

Worst narration, such a shame

Her voice is awful, had to stop listening after she took over from Carl. Can't believe somebody thought that was a good idea

12 people found this helpful

Good text, bad performance

This really shows the importance of the narrator. Source material is the same: from Sagan. When he narrates it’s hypnotic, convincing, clear. When Dryan steps in, it becomes blurred, empty, as if she’s trying to persuade us of something she doesn’t quite grasp herself. I stopped listening.

6 people found this helpful

Wonderful, but just not enough Carl

It must first be said, there is a distinct and woeful absence of Carl Sagan in the narration of this book. Whilst the details indicate that it is jointly narrated by both Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan, Carl only narrates four short chapters at the very beginning of the book and after that the remaining 85% is narrated by Ann. Not that I can be critical of Ann Druyan who conducts the narration with a great deal of grace, though she is no substitute for the great Carl Sagan. Though if you have ever heard Carl Sagan speaking you realise that he speaks with a great deal of awe and even reverence about science and this is something that comes across with Ann. That being said, she would not be my first and most obvious choice as a narrator for this book. Her voice occasionally sounds tired, though she is always clear in what she says so I cannot raise much fault. I was disappointed that there was so little of Carl to this book.

The book itself mostly focuses upon the science of astrophysics and the attempts to discover more and understand more about the universe that surrounds us. If you have read Cosmos by Sagan you will find that many sections are repeated here, though the book is a quite glorious introduction and study of space about us and the issues we face in trying to understand it. The book makes numerous points about the lack of funding for space exploration, which when costed properly is only a small fraction of what is paid in defence budgets.

If you have an interest in science and astrophysics you will enjoy this book greatly, especially in later chapters as it hypothesises about how humanity will take to exploring the solar system and access the resources it has to offer.

18 people found this helpful

For all Wanderers and Wonderers

So great to hear Mr Sagan himself read his own work (mostly) in this wonderfully insightful book pondering our next steps into the star fields of time. At the end we can only come to the conclusion that to wander and ponder is in our nature and ultimately it will lead to our survival. We do indeed belong among the stars and we always have.

5 people found this helpful

Wanderful :)

Any additional comments?

For wanderers everywhere: Pale Blue Dot is, for me, an essential, magical and thought-provoking experience.

I had read Pale Blue Dot before, and loved it. I was delighted when I learned this audiobook was in the works again. Having finished it, this version has exceeded my, frankly, stellar expectations.

As other reviewers have noted, the opening chapters are Carl Sagan's original recording - remastered. The rest is then read by Ann Druyan. Personally, I thought both parts are a fitting reflection of their partnership - exploring and connected through space and time. Ann, in my opinion, does a beautiful job.

For the unfamiliar, the book is named in reference to the image of the Earth, captured by Voyager 1, then 6 billion miles away on Valentines Day, 1990. The story behind the picture, and the 4 ships humans had then sent to the stars is hugely moving. Just one example of the brilliant storytelling throughout.

Like the image itself: the nuance and depth of the perspective in this book is powerful and inspiring. A perspective we may be gaining just in time.

I'd have liked to have listened to it whilst stargazing. The chapters take you beyond any darkness, to beautiful points of intellectual and, subtly, almost spiritual light, again and again.

I would recommend it for anyone interested in how our humanity can keep up with our technology. Also for anybody concerned with exploring other worlds and/or our doing right by this one, and all the Earth's inhabitants.

Thank you Ann, and all involved, for re-making this. Thank you for helping wanderers out there from all meridians to make the many crossings, as we find our way...

19 people found this helpful

Love this book, but...

Would you consider the audio edition of Pale Blue Dot to be better than the print version?

First let me start by saying I have the book, and an audio version of the book I downloaded a couple years ago. Now as Ann Druyan has stated in the beginning of the audio book that she got the masters and some where degraded. From the audio book version I downloaded you can hear Carl's voice in every chapter, with some chapters having bits filled by another person as well as a distinct humm at times. However, id say that version has around 85-90% of it read by Carl Sagan. Now it must be said I have nothing against Ann Druyan, I have high respect for her but her voice is not Carl Sagan and its his voice you want this book for.

So before you buy consider that whilst its an amazing life changing book with anyone reading, Carl's voice only narrates the first 4 Chapters, from then on its Ann Druyan.

I am a little disappointed since the downloaded version I have before the audible release features the majority of Carl's voice even if not perfect quality. I was hoping they would of took those and cleared them up and featured only Ann Druyan in the spaces where another person filled the gaps for Carl.

Either way a great book, but just a heads up.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Pale Blue Dot?

You are here quote or section read from Carl in HQ.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Carl and Ann didn't, perfect reading.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no, takes time to digest and savour.

Any additional comments?

Still good for fans of Carl and this book is one of his greats for me.

12 people found this helpful

Outstanding book terrible reading...

Carl Sagan is a terrific communicator and this book had everything I wanted from it in terms of his vision albeit it is a little out of date the broad sweeps of what he discusses and the things that already indisputable are covered wonderfully. The main issue with the book which although I listened to it in it's entirety is the fact that out of the 23 chapters 20 of them I are read by a woman whose voice is like Marge Simpson constantly gasping for air and a glass of water. Yes I understand that she was the long-term life partner of Carl Sagan and is to be respected entirely in her own regard, bur the point is that I buy book on Audible to listen for its enjoyment in the way that it is read as much as it's content and anyone who finds her voice enjoyable must be marked down as some sort of sadomasochist.

3 people found this helpful

Awe inspiring!

Amazing book. Incredible to have Carl Sagan reading part of it, but having Ann Druyan read the rest is a fitting tribute. Highly recommended.

2 people found this helpful

A deeply thought provoking perception of the Earth

This book offers a profoundly moving point of view of the fragility and vulnerability of the Earth and a humbling look at the human condition and the clear and present danger of the blind arrogance with which we continue to allow our recklessly destructive actions to steer us towards our own demise. Yet though this depressing and deeply troubling truth there is still hope and optimism that it is not too late and the ability to change exists within us. These profound sentiments are beautifully communicated in the inimitable poetic expressions of Carl Sagan himself for many of the chapters of this book, though sadly the recordings of most were lost and as such have been narrated by his wife.

2 people found this helpful