’Cosmos’, the book by Carl Sagan was released along with the TV series ’Cosmos’ in the mid 80s. It is the most widely read science non-fiction book so far.
If you want to describe the book in one word, it’s ’Awesome’. Dr. Sagan tackles the never-ending questions of Life, Universe and Everything (sic) with as rational frankness as is possible. For the same he tracks through the past, present and future of science.
If you expect the book to be filled with formulae, theorems and the ilk, then you will be in for a pleasant surprise. Dr. Sagan explains the concepts in with enough simplicity and clarity so that even ordinary people and school students will understand it. He writes like a romantic - a man in love with the Cosmos. Reading the book takes you to a different perspective; you realize how insignificant you are in the colossal scheme of events taking place in the Cosmos.
All through the book Sagan brings up his favorite issue - Is there intelligent life beyond earth? Of extra-terrestrial life we can be certain of, but are there any contemporary intelligent life forms? His insights in this regard are enlightening to say the least.
The aim of the book is popularization of science among general public and that’s what is does exceedingly superbly. Doesn’t matter what background you come from, if you ask me to recommend 1 book to you, ’Cosmos’ will be it.