A luminous celebration of Earth’s marvels that require no faith in order to be believed

Product Code: 8860
ISBN: 9780735218796
Format: Paperback / softback
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Pages: 304
Published Date: 10/05/2021
Availability:In stock
N/A
Price: $18.00

The perfect gift for a loved one or for yourself, For Small Creatures Such as We is part memoir, part guidebook, and part social history, a luminous celebration of Earth’s marvels that require no faith in order to be believed.

Sasha Sagan was raised by secular parents, the astronomer Carl Sagan and the writer and producer Ann Druyan. They taught her that the natural world and vast cosmos are full of profound beauty, that science reveals truths more wondrous than any myth or fable.

When Sagan herself became a mother, she began her own hunt for the natural phenomena behind our most treasured occasions–from births to deaths, holidays to weddings, anniversaries, and more–growing these roots into a new set of rituals for her young daughter that honor the joy and significance of each experience without relying on religious framework.

As Sagan shares these rituals, For Small Creatures Such as We becomes a moving tribute to a father, a newborn daughter, a marriage, and the natural world–a celebration of life itself, and the power of our families and beliefs to bring us together.


Bookmark and Share
Introduction

Chapter one Birth

Chapter Two A Weekly Ritual

Chapter Three Spring

Chapter Four A Daily Ritual

Chapter Five Confessions & Atonement

Chapter Six Coming of Age

Chapter Seven Summer

Chapter Eight Independence Days

Chapter Nine Anniversaries & Birthdays

Chapter Ten Weddings

Chapter Eleven Sex

Chapter Twelve A Monthly Ritual

Chapter Thirteen Autumn

Chapter Fourteen Feast & Fast

Chapter Fifteen Winter

Chapter Sixteen Death

A Postscript
Suggested Reading
Acknowledgments

“How often have you asked yourself: What is the meaning of life? Sasha Sagan finds its meaning everywhere—with her family, around the world, and especially among the stars of the cosmos. Read her work; you’ll have a deeper appreciation for your every step, every bite, and every breath.” - Bill Nye, author of Everything All At Once

“From birthdays to funerals to the changing of the seasons to lunar cycles, [Sagan] thoughtfully explores how to blend science and spirituality. An eye-opening book for those who might question traditional religious celebrations but feel connected to the community, rituals, and comforts they provide, this is a refreshing, intelligent examination of faith, religion, and the many wonders of science worthy of celebration.” - Booklist (starred review)

“Birth, anniversaries, fasting, atonement: She approaches these subjects with wonderment and a generous window into her extraordinary family history . . . For Small Creatures Such As We is a marvel. It dazzles and comforts while making us consider our own place in the vast universe.” - BookPage

“Welcoming and tender. . . Charming and appealing, this thoughtful work serves as an uplifting, life-honoring celebration of human existence." - Publishers Weekly

“Offers ethereal wisdom and worldly guidance . . . Sagan’s debut, a lushly written amalgam of memoir and manual, traces her life as the daughter of Carl and writer/producer Ann Druyan and how she came to appreciate the wonder in the everyday. . . Profound, elegantly written ruminations on the exquisite splendors of life enjoyed through a secular lens.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Blends science and spirituality . . . drawing from a variety of anthropological, historical, and religious works, Sagan’s chapters are devoted to the essential characteristics of being human: rituals and celebrations relating to birth and death, people and relationships. . . A potentially transformative read for anyone looking to embrace [Sagan’s] invocation to lead a more connected life.” - Library Journal

Be the first to submit a review on this product!
Review and Rate this Item

You might also be interested in: