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Original Essays | February 8, 2012

Kent Hartman: IMG A Raider by Any Other Name

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This title in other editions

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark Cover

ISBN13: 9780345409461
ISBN10: 0345409469
Condition: Standard
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

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.

Review:

"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

Review:

"Powerful....A stirring defense of informed rationality....Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing." The Washington Post Book World

Review:

"Compelling." USA Today

Review:

"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

Review:

"Passionate." San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle

Review:

"Eminent Cornell astronomer and bestselling author Sagan debunks the paranormal and the unexplained in a study that will reassure hardcore skeptics but may leave others unsatisfied." Publishers Weekly

Synopsis:

Disturbingly, in our so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning, with alien abduction, "channeling" past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. In this compellingly brilliant new book, Carl Sagan argues that this is not just a cultural wrong turn, but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms.

Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks modern pseudoscience, as well as such celebrated fallacies of the past as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. By doing so, he demonstrates that true scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth, but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions.

Synopsis:

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Dragons of Eden and Cosmos shows how scientific thinking can cut through prejudice and hysteria and uncover the truth. Sagan also argues the necessity of safeguarding democratic institutions in a high-tech world.

Synopsis:

Are we on the brink of a new Dark Age of irrationality and superstition? In this stirring, brilliantly argued book, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Dragons of Eden and Cosmos shows how scientific thinking can cut through prejudice and hysteria and uncover the truth, and how it is necessary to safeguard our democratic institutions and our technical civilization.
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Average customer rating based on 5 comments:
Ernest Carneau, October 9, 2011 (view all comments by Ernest Carneau)
First of all, I have not read the book, just the write-ups by the publisher and the comments (4) by people who have read the book. If I recall correctly, Carl Sagan is an Atheist. And he argues against the existance of demons, as well as UFO's, and a number of other phenomenom today. But if I stand by Dr Sagan, I must throw out my Bible, where demons are mentioned as fact throughout, especially in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
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eglazier, October 9, 2011 (view all comments by eglazier)
i read this book when it was first published and have seen our country become more educated and less knowledgeable over the years. for most people science is a mystery, but for those who have gotten college degrees it is to them an open book, which unfortunately they do not know how to read.
in the last decade we have witnessed more hysteria and less thought about the real problems that beset us. a case in point is the mass rejection of childhood disease vaccines that have resulted in the almost epidemic rise of some of them in clusters of the well-to-do and supposedly well-educated populations. the number of children's deaths are rising. it must be rather disheartening for parents to see their child die when they know they are responsible for this.
we have a whole political party that rejects even the notion of science and they are campaigning on this idea. imagine in a world they inhabit where science is ever present and the fruits of science are keeping them alive, they reject it all.
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Ádám Bogár, October 3, 2011 (view all comments by Ádám Bogár)
An exceptional read in Sagan's easily accessible style, The Demon-Haunted World is the late planetologist's effort to fight superstitious and unscientific views cast on scientific topics, as well as a call for reform in education and thinking. An amazingly interesting advocacy of skepticism, practically unputdownable!
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780345409461
Author:
Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan
Publisher:
Ballantine Books
Author:
Druyan, Ann
Author:
Sagan, Carl
Location:
New York :
Subject:
General
Subject:
General science
Subject:
Science
Subject:
History
Subject:
Controversial Knowledge
Subject:
Methodology
Subject:
Philosophy & Social Aspects
Subject:
Literacy
Subject:
Science and civilization
Subject:
Science and civilization -- Popular works.
Subject:
Science -- Methodology.
Subject:
Science -- Study and teaching.
Subject:
Philosophy & Aspects
Subject:
Science Reference-Philosophy of Science
Copyright:
c199
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Series Volume:
143
Publication Date:
19970231
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
480
Dimensions:
8.30x5.47x.86 in. .90 lbs.
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Related Aisles

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$10.50 In Stock
Product details 480 pages Ballantine Books - English 9780345409461 Reviews:
"Review" by , "A glorious book....A spirited defense of science....From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought."
"Review" by , "Powerful....A stirring defense of informed rationality....Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing."
"Review" by , "Compelling."
"Review" by , "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."
"Review" by , "Passionate."
"Review" by , "Eminent Cornell astronomer and bestselling author Sagan debunks the paranormal and the unexplained in a study that will reassure hardcore skeptics but may leave others unsatisfied."
"Synopsis" by , Disturbingly, in our so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning, with alien abduction, "channeling" past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. In this compellingly brilliant new book, Carl Sagan argues that this is not just a cultural wrong turn, but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms.

Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks modern pseudoscience, as well as such celebrated fallacies of the past as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. By doing so, he demonstrates that true scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth, but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions.

"Synopsis" by , The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Dragons of Eden and Cosmos shows how scientific thinking can cut through prejudice and hysteria and uncover the truth. Sagan also argues the necessity of safeguarding democratic institutions in a high-tech world.
"Synopsis" by , Are we on the brink of a new Dark Age of irrationality and superstition? In this stirring, brilliantly argued book, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Dragons of Eden and Cosmos shows how scientific thinking can cut through prejudice and hysteria and uncover the truth, and how it is necessary to safeguard our democratic institutions and our technical civilization.
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