The Varieties of Scientific Experience by Carl Sagan

  (out of 5 stars)

This most recent book published in Sagan's name is a compilation his Gifford Lectures presentations, along with many of the followup questions and answers, compiled from transcripts by his last wife Ann Druyan. From the beginning, for any reader who has had the pleasure of hearing Sagan speak, Carl's voice will quickly focus on the issues at hand. This set of lectures offers a unique view into Carl's own search for God and his belief that science and reason present our best tools for exploring and explaining our world.

Each lecture offers a segment of his thoughts, each bringing the reader gently through the discussion. Sagan avoids terribly difficult discussions in order to present his listeners (and now, his readers) a clear insight into his mindset. He asks us to think calmly about the subjects at hand, to probe the details with the scientific method and with reason. Religion, in Sagan's view, is not the right answer, if there is indeed a right answer at all.

I enjoyed this book, which at times felt a bit metaphysical some of the injections of slides and descriptions of the beauty in nature and the cosmos. I loved listening to Sagan talk on most any subject, so this book was a neat view of the man and his mind. Four stars.