Carl Sagan - The Demon-Haunted World: Science As a Candle in the Dark

Pros: Rational, reasonable, and respectful

Cons: No cons at all!

The Bottom Line: This is an excellent book, full of common- sense arguments that effectively debunk the myth of pseudosciences

Review: Dr. Carl Sagan was one of the world’s best- known and most respected men of science. Sagan gained widespread popularity and notoriety for his scientific knowledge through the television mini- series “Cosmos”, which originally aired on Public Broadcasting...

Pros: Compassionate debunking and hopefulness.

Cons: Can't think of any worth mentioning.

The Bottom Line: I think it is an excellent review of skeptical thinking with compassion.

Review: *note: This is a slight update for a review originally published in February of 2001

Sagan's subtitle for this book, "Science as a Candle in the Dark," says much of what he wishes to convey, that is, that science is wondrous, awe-inspiring and...

Pros: A modern scientific classic

Cons: Prejudices will get in the way

The Bottom Line: A watershed book for me, and hopefully for anybody else interested in learning to think scientifically

Review: My favorite genre of science books are those that discuss the relations between science, wonder, and ...

Pros: Lucid, important, respectful, logical, and Scientific

Cons: None

The Bottom Line: Science, reason, and a healthy dose of skepticism can keep human kind out of the darkness. Learn science, learn how to not fall for baloney, and read this important book.

Review: Astrology, pseudoscience, anti-science, alien abduction, fundamentalist zealotry, wacky conspiracy theories, weird UFO beliefs, quackery, ESP, fortune telling, and other baloney stands in stark contrast to how science operates. Unfortunately the darkness ...

Pros: Intelligent, highly logical, well written, of great import.

Cons: Sagan in dead

The Bottom Line: Sagan concisely and clearly spells out the rules for rational thought. This is a rare sort of book: one that can make the world a better place.

Review: I first read Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted World several years ago, while taking a course in Logic. I found it to be a great book, that covered many of the basic concepts of logic in a manner that is easy to approach. I loved this book, and I find...

Pros: Well-written and presented, easy to understand, entertaining and educational

Cons: None

Review: The late Dr. Carl Sagan, astronomer who became world-renowned for popularizing science like no one has since Robert Heinlein, left us with one last great contribution to human knowledge. That work is "The Demon Haunted World."

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Pros: An enlightening guide to clear thinking

Cons: Some people wear their illusions like a warm blanket

Review: Carl Sagan was perhaps one of the greatest philosophers of our time. That he was not revered by "billions and billions" of people is not the fault of his teachings. I lay the blame at a society that only wishes to be shown truth, instead of...

Pros: Clear, informative, enlightening.

Cons: Politically charged in places.

Review: Like "Broca's Brain" and "The Dragons of Eden", this book is a collection of essays promoting fact over fantasy and reason over wishful thinking. Unlike some other skeptical authors, however, Dr. Sagan never forgets that the people...

Pros: This book thoughtfully and clearly explains why we must be skeptical and teach skepticism.

Cons: None.

Review: Carl Sagan's mission in this book is to encourage skepticism and rational thinking and revive our interest in science--real science, not the pseudosciences of UFOlogists and faith healers and psychics. His examples and arguments are both compelling and...

Pros: Analytical, entertaining, educational

Cons: None

Review: The great thing about Carl Sagan's writing is the way his love of science, learning and life shines through. In The Demon-Haunted World he takes on the modern anti-science trend and one by one takes apart fads such as astrology, channeling and alien...