The Demon-Haunted World The Demon-Haunted World

The Demon-Haunted World

Science as a Candle In the Dark

    • 4.6 • 244 Ratings
    • $12.99

Publisher 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.

GENRE
Science & Nature
RELEASED
1997
February 25
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
480
Pages
PUBLISHER
Random House Publishing Group
SELLER
Penguin Random House LLC
SIZE
9
MB

Customer Reviews

Waruie ,

A wonderful read

This book is amazingly well written, and should be read by anyone choosing to pursue a career in any scientific field.

8tyduece ,

Must read!

This should be required reading in all High Schools.

bk trey ,

Wonder and skepticism

Even over 20 years after his death Carl Sagan talks of the marriage of wonder and skepticism that holds relevant in anytime. This love letter to science is a fantastic book for anyone but especially good for someone who’s looking for some good talking points against folks who may be pushing pseudoscience, conspiracies, or superstitions.

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