The Demon-Haunted World

ByCarl Sagan

Release Date: 1997-02-25
Genre: Science & Nature

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 282 Ratings

Description

"A glorious book . . . A spirited defense of science . . . From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought."

*Los Angeles Times

"POWERFUL . . . A stirring defense of informed rationality. . . Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing."

*The Washington Post Book World

How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don't understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science? Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished astronomer Carl Sagan argues that scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions.

Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies of the past as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. And yet, disturbingly, in today's so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning with stories of alien abduction, channeling past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. As Sagan demonstrates with lucid eloquence, the siren song of unreason is not just a cultural wrong turn but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms.

"COMPELLING."

*USA Today

"A clear vision of what good science means and why it makes a difference. . . . A testimonial to the power of science and a warning of the dangers of unrestrained credulity."

*The Sciences

"PASSIONATE."

*San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle

From the Trade Paperback edition.

Reviews

Pretty good
3
By Aod762
Fair
Demon Haunted World
5
By Introducing mr. Jon wall
Excellent book should be read by everyone who believes in science. Sagan points out the element of skepticism that many overlook today “But in introducing me simultaneously to skepticism and to wonder, they taught me the two uneasily cohabiting modes of thought that are central to the scientific method.”
Epic
5
By HoyaInfinitum
Look above. I said what I said
A Must Read...
5
By RodFilm
This book is so eery! If one didn’t know better, one would think it was written during the whacko Trump Administration years.
A Light in Dark Times
5
By Jayc1ay
This brilliant and exhaustively researched book is even more germane and useful today in Trump’s America than it was twenty years ago. Sagan’s hymn to the need for science and rationality as the basis of American progress and security should sound in all public discourse.
I don’t understand
5
By M1li74
Why can’t I understand this book like you all. I and reread, but i don’t understand.
Stop Making Sense Mr. Sagan
5
By Dwardeng
An excellent read. Sagan was a great Science communicater. This is right up there with his work on Cosmos.
An essential addition to every education!
5
By Brandonzar
This is a must read book, and not just once, read it every few years. It is one of those books that contains so much valuable information that you might overlook some of it the first time you read it. Fortunately, it is a very quick and entertaining read so it is a pleasure to read again.
A wonderful read
5
By Waruie
This book is amazingly well written, and should be read by anyone choosing to pursue a career in any scientific field.
Must read!
5
By 8tyduece
This should be required reading in all High Schools.