For Small Creatures Such as We
Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World
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4.5 • 11 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
"A charming book, ringing with the joy of existence." -- Richard Dawkins
"This lyrical exploration of how we can find beauty in the natural world comes from the daughter of Carl Sagan . . . A wonderful gift for your favorite reader." --Good Housekeeping
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Freelance writer Sagan, the daughter of astronomer Carl Sagan and writer and producer Ann Druyan, examines the history of cultural touchstones and traditions through science to offer inclusive yet meaningful rituals and occasions throughout the year in this welcoming and tender book. Part memoir, part guidebook, Sagan's work is intended "to create moments that make us feel united with other Earthlings, without the dogma that divides us." She describes applying the scientific method to discover truth, details how science has inspired rituals since creation ("Birth, puberty, reproduction, and death are the biological processes of being human"), and examines how rituals help process change ("Like Passover, Easter, or the myth of Persephone, all these rituals are about suffering and heartbreak giving way to joy in the end"). Along the way, she submits direction: suggesting a template for blending vintage traditions with new sensibilities; illuminating how regular, observant practice creates patterns that bring order to life (religions propose that "once a week you must check in with your beliefs, community, and yourself"); extending hope when all seems lost; and pragmatically mapping out a year of celebrations inspired by treasured experiences while merging them with secular tenets. Charming and appealing, this thoughtful work serves as an uplifting, life-honoring celebration of human existence.
Customer Reviews
Astounding. Reassuring. Everything I needed right now.
In a world that can be so cruel, this book helped me make sense of it all. I’ll be gifting this to everyone for Christmas. Which, I feel a whole lot better about now. Cheers to the messy, beautiful human experience!