Billions & Billions

A New York Times Bestseller

In the final book of his astonishing career, Carl Sagan brilliantly examines the burning questions of our lives, our world, and the universe around us. Billions & Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium is a testament to one of the greatest scientific minds of our day.

These luminous, entertaining essays travel both the vastness of the cosmos and the intimacy of the human mind. Sagan poses fascinating questions: How did the universe originate? How will it end? And how can we meld science and compassion to meet the challenges of the future? Woven throughout these cosmic explorations is a rare, private glimpse into Sagan’s thoughts about love, death, and God as he struggled with a fatal disease.

Ever forward-looking and vibrant with the sparkle of his unquenchable curiosity, this book is an essential read for anyone who looks up at the stars and wonders.

Praise for Billions & Billions:

• “Sagan used the spotlight of his fame to illuminate the abyss into which stupidity, greed, and the lust for power may yet dump us. All of those interests and causes are handsomely represented in Billions & Billions.” —The Washington Post Book World
• “Couldn’t stay awake in your high school science classes? This book can help fill in the holes. Acclaimed scientist Carl Sagan combines his logic and knowledge with wit and humor to make a potentially dry subject enjoyable to read.” —The Dallas Morning News
• “[Sagan’s] inspiration and boundless curiosity live on in the gift of his work.” —Seattle Times & Post-Intelligencer

🔭 From the Desk of Paul Bracken:

This book holds a very special place on my shelf. Because it was his final work, there's a deeply personal and reflective tone here that you don't always see in science writing. When I'm out at the observatory, photographing the very 'billions and billions' of stars he popularized, I'm often reminded of his plea for us to treat each other—and our planet—with compassion. It's a beautiful, brilliant, and ultimately hopeful farewell from an absolute legend.