This is a collection of essays, all somehow related to science. I read it over the course of several months - not because it wasn't interesting, but because sometimes I just wasn't in the mood for it. The articles on skepticism and the history of science were fascinating, but the later descriptions of the "current" situation in astronomy and planetary science was more than a touch dated. (It was written in the 1970s.) All the same, it was still Sagan, and I do so enjoy reading Sagan. I look forward to his other works. ( )

A love letter to the wonders of scientific exploration (else it would not be Carl Sagan!), and at the same time a serious and sympathetic look at pseudoscience and credulity, foreshadowing The Demon-Haunted World. A beautiful read, save for a long point-by-point refutation of another author's absurd work. It's there to make an important point, but it's a bit much.I sure do wish Sagan was still around. I'm sure he had many more books in him. ( )

Reflections on the Romance of Science..
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.

I have now read most of Sagan's work and find them without exception to be informative, readable and usually awe inspiring. In fact his books probably have the highest review scores that I have given out so far.

This book is eclectic mix. Both in terms of the type of material and the subject matter of each. We have a "scientific" paper debunking Velikovsky's famous claims of interstellar billiards alongside a potted history of American astronomy.

Clearly any kind of flow or overarching narrative is therefore bound to be lacking. Changes of pace are unavoidable and a thirst for a larger or more integrated work does grow on you.

Having said all this the individual pieces still show off Sagan's talent for careful logic and elegant argument coupled with an innate appreciation of the beauty of the universe and an eloquence in allowing the reader to appreciate this for themselves which very few science writers can match.

Not his best thanks to the nature of the book. If you are new to Sagan then either Cosmos or Demon Haunted World are the place to start. ( )

Sagan's "Reflections on the Romance of Science". Loved this book when I read it back in High school, but now I have my reservations about it. The parts purely dealing with science are OK, but Sagan's secular humanist philospohy comes shing through at places.

Interesting to note elements of the "Intellegent Design" were present even back in the late 70's. Of course, Sagan claims Evolution is a "proven fact". A view the Courts have taken. ( )