Book
Carl Sagan : a life / Keay Davidson.
Record details
- ISBN: 0471252867 (alk. paper)
- Physical Description: xx, 540 p., [16] p. of plates : ill. ; 25 cm.
- Publisher: New York : Wiley, c1999.
Content descriptions
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references (p. 501-519) and index. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Sagan, Carl, 1934-1996- Astronomers > United States > Biography. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Kenton County.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Branch | B S129d 1999 (Text) | 33126006494581 | Core Collection | Available | - |
- Library Journal Reviews : LJ Reviews 1999 September #1
Both of these books portray astronomer Carl Sagan as a man of immense paradoxes. A charismatic public persona, he could be arrogant and demanding in his personal life. Fiercely amibitious, he still had a powerful sense of civic duty. An outspoken defender of scientific methods, he was also a UFO enthusiast and obsessed with the possibility of extraterrestrial life. In some ways, each of these books represents a different side of the man. First, the similarities. Both authors are respected science popularizers. Both books are quite substantial, relying to a large degree on interviews with those who knew Sagan. Thus, there is considerable overlap between themAperhaps as much as 80 percent. Of the remaining, about 15 percent of Poundstone is totally unique material. His is the more exhaustive and detailed account, especially when discussing Sagan's original scientific work and influences. What Davidson may lack comparatively in content is more than made up for in style, though. While Poundstone plods in places, Davidson is lively, literary, and sometimes refreshingly speculative. Poundstone's version comes closer to being definitive and will probably have a longer shelf life, but Davidson's is more fun to read. Overall, Davidson's version seems truer to its subject, for with Sagan science and showmanship were inseparable. Let's split the difference and suggest that Poundstone's version is more appropriate for academic libraries, while Davidson's may find a larger audience in public libraries.AGregg Sapp, Univ. of Miami Lib., Coral Gables Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.