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Cosmos: Possible Worlds by Ann Druyan is a sequel to Carl Sagan’s classic, and a companion book to the celebrated television series. Ms. Druyan is an award winning writer, director, and producer specializing in making science accessible.

The first thing I noticed when holding this book is the quality of the item. The book is lavishly printed, quality pages and magnificent photographs throughout. Cosmos: Possible Worlds by Ann Druyan consists of 13 chapters, all are separated subjects and need not to be read in order. I found the chapters to be fascinating and approachable, explaining scientific concepts in an easy to read, open-minded and welcoming manner for all ages.

What surprised me about this book is that the author doesn’t just delve into the mysteries of the cosmos, but also has chapters explaining the roles of giants of science many have never heard of, and their immense contribution which led to other giants of science building upon them. My favorite chapter, strikingly, was about Nikolai Vavilov, a scientist from Russia. Vavilov was a botanist, a discipline I have no interest in, who collected specimen from around the world of agricultural plants. Eventually Vavilov’s skills would help create a center for agricultural plants. The scientist soon fell out of favor with the Stalin administration due to Trofim Lysenko, a believer in pseudoscience who convinced the all-powerful leader that Vavilov was working against the best interests of the Russian people. Subsequently, the botanist was arrested and sentenced to death. In the 1960s Vavilov was posthumously pardoned by Khrushchev, and is considered one of the heroes of Soviet science.

As I mentioned, there is not cohesive narrative to this book, every chapter is its own entity and could be read independently, and out of order. Many times this type of structure doesn’t work for me, but it does in this book. Could be that I can only take scientific subjects in small doses, or that the book combined history and science, telling fascinating stories just enough to make a point. Whatever it was, I found it to be an intelligent, beautifully printed book that I can share with my teenage children. ( )

About Ann Druyan

ANN DRUYAN is a celebrated writer and producer who co-authored many bestsellers with her late husband, Carl Sagan. She also famously served as creative director of the Voyager Golden Record, sent into space 40 years ago. Druyan continues her work as an interpreter of the most important scientific discoveries, partnering with NASA and the Planetary Society. She has served as Secretary of the Federation of American Scientists and is a laureate of the International Humanist Academy. Most recently, she received both an Emmy and Peabody Award for her work in conceptualizing and writing National Geographic’s first season of Cosmos. ( )

Using her unique gift of bringing complex scientific concepts to life, acclaimed author Ann Druyan documents where humanity has been and where it is going in this sequel to Carl Sagan's blockbuster, Cosmos.

Based on National Geographic's renowned television series, this innovative and visually stunning book explores the convergence of science and civilization. Covering topics from the Big Bang to the intricacies of intelligence in many life forms, Druyan explains how we humans can garner a new understanding of consciousness here on Earth and out in the cosmos. With evocative photographs and vivid illustrations, she depicts momentous discoveries, from the Voyager missions to Cassini-Huygens's recent insights into Saturn's moons.

Cosmos: Possible Worlds is a groundbreaking and visually stunning book that takes readers on an extraordinary journey though how science and civilization grew up together including:

14 billion years of cosmic evolution
Where humanity has been and where it is going
Colorful photographs, art, and diagrams
Foreword by best-selling author Neil deGrasse Tyson
And more! ( )

Based on the National Geographic television show “Cosmos: Possible Worlds,” this compelling volume explores how science and civilization grew up together. Lavishly illustrated, thought-provoking, and captivating, the narrative begins with a look at the 1939 World’s Fair after which it proceeds to investigate history, humanity, and science. It ends, prophetically, with a visit to the 2039 World’s Fair

It’s about knowing and relating and communicating. It’s about education and truth and discovery. It’s about the cosmos and how we, made of starstuff, fit into this universe.

Suggestions for further reading, based on each chapter, are included.

Highly recommended. ( )