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  • Pale Blue Dot

  • A Vision of the Human Future in Space
  • Written by: Carl Sagan
  • Narrated by: Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan
  • Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (159 ratings)

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Pale Blue Dot cover art

Pale Blue Dot

Written by: Carl Sagan
Narrated by: Carl Sagan, Ann Druyan
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Publisher's Summary

"FASCINATING . . . MEMORABLE . . . REVEALING . . . PERHAPS THE BEST OF CARL SAGAN''S BOOKS." --The Washington Post Book World (front page review)

In Cosmos, the late astronomer Carl Sagan cast his gaze over the magnificent mystery of the Universe and made it accessible to millions of people around the world. Now in this stunning sequel, Carl Sagan completes his revolutionary journey through space and time.

Future generations will look back on our epoch as the time when the human race finally broke into a radically new frontier--space. In Pale Blue Dot Sagan traces the spellbinding history of our launch into the cosmos and assesses the future that looms before us as we move out into our own solar system and on to distant galaxies beyond. The exploration and eventual settlement of other worlds is neither a fantasy nor luxury, insists Sagan, but rather a necessary condition for the survival of the human race.

"TAKES READERS FAR BEYOND Cosmos . . . Sagan sees humanity''s future in the stars." --Chicago Tribune

Introductory music from the original score for COSMOS: A SpaceTime Odyssey composed by Alan Silvestri, used with permission from Cosmos Studios, Inc. and Chappers Music. All rights reserved. Special thanks to Fuzzy Planets, Inc.

©1994 Carl Sagan (P)2017 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

What listeners say about Pale Blue Dot

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic!

I know many reviewers don't seem too happy how much of this is read by Druyan, but I think she's great. Her voice is not prolific, but she has a passion for her late husband's work that touched me through the speakers. This was my first Audible purchase and it inspired many more.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

an exploration of space and humanity

Very interesting assessment of humanity and overview of our solar system by the renound astronomer Carl Sagan. The book swings between wide brushstroke ideas to tedious details which makes some chapters more interesting than others

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My first audio book from Audible

I have always been a fan of Dr Carl Sagan. I have most of his books and writings in paperback. Despite the fact that I have already read this several times over, the enjoyment you get from the story being told to you is different. Some people prefer reading. Some people prefer listening. I definitely enjoy both. A narrative gives me a slightly different perspective of the actual story. There are also some nuances that you are only able to catch when you listen instead of read. This is definitely a must-have download even if you have read the book by itself.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great book, ok narrator

This classic book on space technology and planetary exploration now serves as a record of the state of these endeavors late in the 20th century. A great listen now during the renaissance of rocket development and ambitions to return to the moon - and beyond.
My only disappointment is that more of the book isn't narrated by Mr. Sagan.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Pat
  • 2020-07-30

excellent story

the parts that Carl narrates are excellent. the parts of the female narrator left me wondering if I was being read a bedtime story.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

50/50

Excellent book. 2nd half narration detracts from the experience unfortunately. The stark difference between the deep melodic and almost hypnotic tone of Carl’s voice is replaced by the unfortunately nasal and squeaky tone of his well intentioned wife. Perhaps Brian Cox instead for any future release?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Read by Ann Druyan featuring Carl Sagan

I've read this before and heard the audio version before. every time it's awesome. this new audible version however is maybe 15% read by Carl. the rest is Ann Druyan. nothing against her, she did a great job, it's still a great listen, but she is not Carl. so it was disappointing that the audio was not good enough and we got so little Carl Sagan. they should be more up front about it. I clicked the preview heard Carl's majestic voice and then clicked buy.

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15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • AH
  • 2019-10-08

A must read

Carl Sagan's series was and still is an amazing journey into the past, present, and future of space and humanity.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Bit of a bait and switch

Carl Sagan only narrates the first couple of chapters, then Ann Druyan takes over for the vast majority of the book. She is very soft spoken, and hard to hear/understand at low volumes and if there is any other noise in the environment. she is not an ideal narrator for an audiobook, unfortunately.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Terrible narration

Love Cosmos on audible but this book really suffers with the women narration. Just ruined it for me

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