In this book, the final entry in his bibliography, Carl Sagan explores a range of topics in what are essentially stand-alone chapters. Being over 20 years old it is sometimes a bit dated, such as when Sagan discusses the Cold War, or even more strikingly the Internet, but then again there is always something to learn from historical perspectives on these issues. Probably the best example is the discussion of the effect of CFCs on the ozone layer. Sagan hails the Montreal Protocol established to address this as a resounding success of international cooperation and industrial regulation. These days, it seems the ozone layer issue is largely forgotten, drowned out by global climate change. We should look to the success of the Montreal Protocol when tackling this problem, Sagan tells us. I think the fact that hardly anyone talks about the ozone layer today, and that the ozone hole appears to be recovering, bolster his case that we can, as a species, address these problems of global scale, if we choose to.

There are many other topics in this book, all of which are interesting. But I think the final chapter and epilogue, written as Sagan was facing death, with his loved ones by his side, are the most touching. And here he exhorts us to live life, not only to the fullest, but also to the truest:

"The world is so exquisite, with so much love and moral depth, that there is no reason to deceive ourselves with pretty stories for which there's little good evidence. Far better, it seems to me, in our vulnerability, is to look Death in the eye and to be grateful every day for the brief but magnificent opportunity that life provides."