Carl Sagan - A brilliant writer and clearly one of the more clear-thinking minds of the last few generations. Sagan would have HATED the way his movie turned-out. He liked Jodie Foster though. Sagan uttered one of my favorite quotations;  [paraphrasing] "It's not enough to just READ, you need to read THE RIGHT BOOKS!"  ...then Sagan, some of his colleagues, some students and close fans compiled a list of 14 books and 2 essays that are the MUST READ LIST for those wishing to see past the facade. I've read them all, multiple times, and committed much of the texts to memory, in substance if not verbatim.

This reading list has been completely scrubbed from all public records and lost to mankind's unrestricted access forever. I have one of the two remaining copies of the list, the other one is in the possession of a noted world-respected scientist and science fiction writer currently living in Sri Lanka.  

...or maybe I'm just making it all up!

Why is it that Carl Sagan is listed under Science Fiction? He did write one sci fi book but most of his books fall under the category of pure science or non fiction. There should be a science category. Where would I post a book by Richard Dawkins?

Carl Sagan is a genius. He has done so much for science. He took the scientific processes and made it available to the public, who often regard it with suspicious hostility because of simple ignorance. His book "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark," made me look at science in a whole new light and instilled within me a passion for learning and science. If you want to feel the sheer wonder that this man held for the universe around us, just pick up any one of his books, and you won't be disappointed.

You've gotta read this guy. Funny, charming, totally engrossing stuff. Wow!

stick to cosmology Carl

You have got to read this stuff. I'm coming...I'm COMING!!!!!! oh, yeah! Contact, Broca's brain, Cosmos, all of his SETI books, all beautiful. The man has heart and a great sense of humor.

What little science fiction he wrote was amazing. Since he was so knowqledgeable about science but didn't neglect characterization or plot, his books are really special.

Boring! Contact took forever.

He was a good author and "butthead" astronomer.

The man who made science part of popular culture - rest in peace!

Carl Sagan was the first author to truly unite science fiction and the laws of physics in his writing. Of course, good ol' Gene and Star Trek did a pretty good job of that also.

I loved watching Cosmos on TV, and I loved reading Contact. What a shame that he is gone.

Dr. Sagan had a gift for explaining the wonderful history and discoveries of science. His fiction, as well as his non-fiction, is a pure pleasure to read.

Sagan, one of the brightest minds of his time, surely reflects this through out all his works, whether scientific, non-fiction, or fiction. Personally, I've enjoyed his non-fiction work much more than his sci-fi work. The theme of other life forms in the universe should be expected, since it is a recurring idea in most of his works. It should also be expected to be left with somewhat of an uncertainty and a longing for those mysterious "space" beings to someday contact "us".