Billions and Billions

I've just finished reading Billions and Billions - Carl Sagan's last book before he died from myelodysplasia. It is a collection of essays written in three sections. The first is the wonder of numbers and reminded me of his TV series Cosmos from which the title is taken - except it wasn't. US TV host Johnny Carson had an ongoing skit in which he would mimic Sagan's unique emphasis of the word "billions" with the phrase "Billions and Billions". Sagan never said it, but the public associated him with the phrase - this book's title is a homage to that particular misappropriated catchphrase. As well as chapters on the awe inspiring magnitude of the universe, one interesting essay, entitled "Monday Night Hunters", suggests a hypothesis that sports fans are following an evolutionary urge to be part of the tribe by following the hunt - even though they take no part in it. It's an interesting idea and one that might explain the hoards of glory hunting football fans.

The second set of essays tackle the environment - particularly the issues of ozone depletion and global warming. In the thirteen years since the book was published ozone has come to be seen as less of an issue, partly due to the success of the Montréal accord, which would have pleased Sagan as an example of mankind getting it right. However, the plight of greenhouse gas emissions is probably worse then he could have imagined and it is surprising how many of his predictions have come to pass. He also mentions the risk of global nuclear warfare. This has probably lessened although the risk of individual weapons being used has, no doubt, increased. Sagan was at the forefront of the concept of a Nuclear Winter so this fear must have remained with him to the end.

The third section contains essays on social issues, world peace and a very well written chapter on abortion - where he tries to use scientific rationale to inform the debate from both a Pro-Life and Pro-Choice perspective. It's quite illuminating in it's own right and worth reading even if the rest of the book doesn't appeal. However, the third section of the book is rather disjointed with some earlier essays being reiterated and some old newspaper articles being reproduced - including an illuminating essay which appeared in both US and Soviet magazines. However, his last essay, "In the Valley of the Shadow", is very personal and proves both inspirational and heart-breaking as Sagan muses on his own mortality and struggle with illness. Written from a humanist perspective it is a wake up call to those who suggest that there are no atheists in foxholes.

The book closes with a chapter written by Carl's wife, Ann Druyan, after his death and closes the circle of essays. It is, understandably, somewhat mixed in places but Billions and Billions is a great read and a good introduction to the work of one of the 20th Centuries most popular science writers.