The Book Tour Stops Here: A Review of "Cosmos: Possible Worlds" by Ann Druyan, Served with a Recipe for Apple-Cranberry Cosmos

Sometimes, when this world we live in gets too crazy, I wonder what other worlds and dimensions are out there. That makes me very happy to be on the TLC Book Tour for Cosmos: Possible Worlds by Ann Druyan, a new book from National Geographic that lets me explore earth and space and civilization from my couch. Accompanying my review is a recipe for a refreshing and fall-flavored cocktail, the Apple-Cranberry Cosmopolitan, Inspired by the book's title.

 

Publisher's Blurb:

This sequel to Carl Sagan’s blockbuster continues the electrifying journey through space and time, connecting with worlds billions of miles away and envisioning a future of science tempered with wisdom.

Based on National Geographic’s internationally-renowned television series, this groundbreaking and visually stunning book explores how science and civilization grew up together. From the emergence of life at deep-sea vents to solar-powered starships sailing through the galaxy, from the Big Bang to the intricacies of intelligence in many life forms, acclaimed author Ann Druyan documents where humanity has been and where it is going, using her unique gift of bringing complex scientific concepts to life. With evocative photographs and vivid illustrations, she recounts momentous discoveries, from the Voyager missions in which she and her husband, Carl Sagan, participated to Cassini-Huygens’s recent insights into Saturn’s moons. This breathtaking sequel to Sagan’s masterpiece explains how we humans can glean a new understanding of consciousness here on Earth and out in the cosmos–again reminding us that our planet is a pale blue dot in an immense universe of possibility.

Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: National Geographic; Illustrated Edition (February 25, 2020)

 

 My Review:

Cosmos: Possible Worlds is tagged as "The Sequel to Carl Sagan's Beloved Classic", and so it couldn't have a more perfect author than the late Scientist and Astronomer's wife, Ann Druyan. Druyan is an author, producer and director who co-wrote Sagan's 1980 PBS documentary series, Cosmos and married him in 1981. Cosmos: Possible Worlds is the companion book to the National Geographic series and is a gorgeous look at science, explained clearly for the layperson. Full disclosure here--I didn't read Sagan's Cosmos, although I did watch the series, and I am only about half-way through Cosmos: Possible Worlds. (It's been a busy week, month, year and I struggled to find time to read the past couple of weeks.) What I have read, I have enjoyed; Druyan writes passionately and evocatively about space and science in a way that is exciting and explores the philosophies behind it. The book is full of the most gorgeous photographs and it is a treat to pick up and immerse myself in a chapter. I am looking forward to the long Thanksgiving weekend to catch up on my reading, including finishing this book. If you are a science buff you'll enjoy this book and if you know and love a science buff, it would make a great holiday gift!

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Author Notes: ANN DRUYAN is a celebrated writer and producer who co-authored many bestsellers with her late husband, Carl Sagan. She also famously served as creative director of the Voyager Golden Record, sent into space 40 years ago. Druyan continues her work as an interpreter of the most important scientific discoveries, partnering with NASA and the Planetary Society. She has served as Secretary of the Federation of American Scientists and is a laureate of the International Humanist Academy. Most recently, she received both an Emmy and Peabody Award for her work in conceptualizing and writing National Geographic’s first season of Cosmos.

I think there is really only one logical pairing for this book a Cosmopolitan. After all you can't beat cosmos for Cosmos. Since it's fall, I wanted my cosmo to have strong apple vibes, so I made a few substitutions from the usual vodka, cranberry juice, triple sec or Cointreau and lime juice.

This recipe is pretty loose, so add more or less of ingredients based on what you like or have on hand. If you don't have calvados (apple brandy), use the liquor you do have.You can also add more vodka if you want it boozier--I just don't drink alcohol very much these days, so I keep it on the lighter side. ;-)

Apple-Cranberry Cosmos

By Deb, Kahakai Kitchen 

(Makes 2 Large Cocktails)

 

3 oz vodka of choice (I used a citrus vodka blend)

3 oz cranberry-apple juice

3 oz apple juice

1 1/2 oz calvados (apple brandy) 

1 1/2 oz lime juice

Combine vodka, cranberry-apple juice, apple juice juice, calvados and lime juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until outside of shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.

Pour into glasses and serve with apple slices if desired. 

Notes/Results: Crisp, refreshing, sweet but not too sweet and nicely apple-flavored, I really like this cosmo! It takes me back to the Sex and the City watch parties I used to have with my friends when cosmos were in their heyday. The only downside of these is that they are a bit too easy to suck down which makes them a little dangerous. ;-)  I will happily make them again.

 

I'm sharing this post with the Weekend Cooking event  being hosted by Marg at The Adventures of An Intrepid Reader. It's a weekly event that is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share. Here's a link to this week's post.

Note: A review copy of "Cosmos: Possible Worlds" was provided to me by the author and the publisher via TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for my review and as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own. 
 
You can see the other stops for this TLC Book Tour and what other bloggers thought of the book here.