A fascinating book on the joys of discovering how the world works, by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Cosmos and Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. "Magnificent ... Delightful ... A masterpiece. A message of tremendous hope for humanity ... While ever conscious that human folly can terminate man's march into the future, Sagan nonetheless paints for us a mind-boggling future: intelligent robots, the discovery of extraterrestrial life and its consequences, and above all the challenge and pursuit of the mystery of the universe. "--Chicago Tribune "Go out and buy this book, because Carl Sagan is not only one of the world's most respected scientists, he's a great writer... I can give a book no greater accolade than to say I'm planning on reading it again. And again. And again. "--The Miami Herald "The brilliant astronomer ... is persuasive, provocative and readable. "--United Press International "Closely reasoned, impeccably researched, gently humorous, utterly devastating. "--The Washington Post