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Cosmos cover art

Cosmos

Written by: Carl Sagan
Narrated by: LeVar Burton,Seth MacFarlane,Neil deGrasse Tyson,Ann Druyan
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Publisher's Summary

Cosmos is one of the bestselling science books of all time. In clear-eyed prose, Sagan reveals a jewel-like blue world inhabited by a life form that is just beginning to discover its own identity and to venture into the vast ocean of space. Featuring a new Introduction by Sagan's collaborator, Ann Druyan, and a new Foreword by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Cosmos retraces the fourteen billion years of cosmic evolution that have transformed matter into consciousness, exploring such topics as the origin of life, the human brain, Egyptian hieroglyphics, spacecraft missions, the death of the Sun, the evolution of galaxies, and the forces and individuals who helped to shape modern science.

Includes introductory music: Heaven and Hell by Vangelis from Cosmos: A Personal Voyage used with permission from Druyan-Sagan Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.

©1980 Carl Sagan Productions, Inc (P)2017 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Foreword © 2013 by Ann Druyan. “Reflections on Carl Sagan’s Cosmos” essay © 2013 by Neil deGrasse Tyson.

What listeners say about Cosmos

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

LeVar is like listening to a breathy James T. Kirk

I so want to listen to this. I really do! I haven't listened to a science based audible and was looking forward to listening to this classic book while I drive to/from work every day. But I just... (short dramatic pause) can'T (extra emphasis on the T). LeVar reads every sentence with emphasis and drama when it's simply not needed. (he has a capital V in his name, does that have emphasis on it too?) High, intense phrasing and sudden drop to low breathy end word. Every sentence. Up down up down. It's like a roller-coaster, but not in a good way. I do want to feel awe in the cosmos, I want to feel awe in Carl Sagan's words... but not every darn sentence. Way too over dramatic. I do plan on returning the book to get my credit back. I actually wish Seth MacFarlane read the whole book, because he was quite good. I'm sorry Carl, I guess I'll have to enjoy the book the way you intended it... by reading it.

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41 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Loved it

I was worried at first that I wouldn't like it because of all the complaints about the narration. Not sure what everyone is on about but I had no issue with it. In fact I thought it was quite good.

Don't let the bad reviews fool you.
This is worth the purchase.

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6 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Brrilliant

Carl Sagan does an amazing job of sharing his wonder and excitement while guiding you through the relevance of the cosmos.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A great book in 1980 is now outdated, irrelevant

Cosmos was written in 1980 and released on Audible in 2017, 37 years later. I downloaded the book in hopes that it may still be relevant. My hopes rose when Neil De Grasse Tyson said Cosmos was indeed still relevant, blah, blah, blah. I hoped that outdated passages would either be updated or removed, but no. There is nothing more cringe-inducing than hearing someone talk about "upcoming" space journeys that have long since passed, and the characteristics of planets viewed from comparatively primitive spacecraft. You have no idea whether the information is even correct. This is like taking a book such as "How To Save on Your 1980 Tax Return" and publishing it in 2017. Totally irrelevant and frustrating.

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2 people found this helpful

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Insightful

A great perspective on how we view the world and the universe. We can bind together to achieve great feats or be divided and become insignificant...like atoms.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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An inspiring journey!

Complex issues are presented in simple English. Well done. The book makes difficult subjects not only easy to understand but also very interesting.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Favourite book of all time

I have probably read over 250 books cover to cover and this one’s my favourite of all time by far. It makes me want to meet Carl Sagan who is unfortunately no more. I wish to learn to be like him, think like him, dream like him. This book should be mandatory in schools and universities.

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

Naration is overly dramatic

The content is great but Levar Burton is a little over the top. He does the vast majority of the naration. Was hoping for more Neil Degrass Tyson and Seth McFarlane.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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great story teller

a great story teller! inspires curiosity. I see where a number of references come from in podcasts today on these topics. I liked the forward from Ann Druyan, so much passion for science.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Perfect

Everything about this was great. The book, the voice acting, and the intros. Just perfect.

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1 person found this helpful