Rating: 
Summary: Preachy, Targets the Easy, The Debunking is Questionable
Review: The well written (as in the quality of English, maybe not the content), The Demon Haunted World, starts with Carl Sagan almost establishing himself as child genius as he looks fondly back on his youth and education. There is no doubt here that this is just as much a book about Sagan promoting himself as it is dishing pseudoscience. Take the premise of this book for example. Sagan says - "Be careful what you see and read.", but apparently the paradox of this statement does not seem to register with Sagan. There is little doubt that much ego is displayed on the page. In adulthood he recalls ripping through the unenlightened mind of a man via a chance meeting because the guy knows a lot of "pseudoscience" but nothing concrete. To Sagan pseudoscience is the same as illiteracy and he watched as the light in the man's eyes dimmed with every scientific revelation that counteracted his "strange" beliefs. Sagan never defines "pseudoscience" in this book. He mainly looks at alternative new age thought and goes, "There! that is 'pseudoscience'" as something we can not replicate in a lab. However what he seems to omit is that science evolves and that many of these new age thoughts could very well be the next step, and some are. For example if we are to concur with Sagan then there would be no coelacanths (A fish thought extinct for 70 million years) and yet science has found populations of it. To suggest that relic dinosaurs still exist is not in the realm of scientific thought, but science is proven wrong because science is still evolving. We do not know everything there is to know about science but Sagan only touches on this very remotely. Sagan then points out that mankind needs more science in order to survive and avoid an environmental catastrophe. Unfortunately nothing of capitalism and the connection to the military industrial complex which hoards such discoveries is covered that well in this book. Sagan does touch on the fact that the best minds get to work for the best agencies, which happens to be any military connected outfit. Politics does play a massive role in keeping new developments suppressed before they filter down to the general population. Intel may have the fastest domestic processors but you can bet your bottom dollar that the military has access to chips that will make the latest home computer seem like the old Atari game console. We could have all the education that Sagan wants us to have and yet still miss his primary objective by a long shot. The funny thing is that when things go from bad to worse, it will more than likely be a "Holy Crusade" of sorts that try to set the record strait. Nowhere is this more observable than in the start of the 21st century as third world nations, sick of oppression, plunder and promises not kept, have resorted to terrorism in the name of the metaphysical to cut through the spoils of a scientific-based "Cold War" that left them in ruin. Let us also not forget that nazi-scientists where employed by the US after WWII to work on rocket designs, all done without public knowledge or the Japanese human biological experiment programs. How many of our illnesses and diseases are actually the result of science too? Sagan simply pushes these aside in less than two paragraphs. He says that these negatives do not outweigh the positives but the fact is that these things can be just as, if not more, dangerous than all the "pseudosciences" put together. Sagan does not really put much forward for the case of science and his book does preach to the sceptics. In fact the book is one big sermon as Sagan goes through every single "pseudoscience" that he can come up with and says - look it is bunk! - without ever really trawling the depths of his assertions. His targets are also tender, and in most cases, the easy option for Sagan. For example a television psychic is his target while the more rigorous psychic tests done under scientific conditions are left aside. Sagan does come up with some very interesting things though and these are more stories that you would find in a copy of the National Enquirer or World Weekly News. Sagan devotes roughly two pages to the Roswell incident and says - weather balloons, end of story. In many cases he just toes the official line. There are books the size of his Demon-Haunted World that deal with topics he skims over in these two to three pages. The only reason to own Demon-Haunted World is to see what topics Sagan touches on and then to go learn more about them elsewhere. It makes a good reference book for the unknown or strange phenomena but little more than that. You will learn something here and go.. "Oh! I wonder what this is all about and why it got Sagan's attention." I am a proponent of science but I certainly would not call this the "Holy Grail" of pro-science literature by a long shot. Nor would I call it a very suitable treatise on the bunkness of pseudosciences. This is a Sagan rant. It reads like a Sagan rant. If you are looking for thoroughly engaging material on why pseudosciences are not scientific then you will not find that here. If you want to listen to Sagan expound on the irrational thought of some people and the conmen who try to sell their pseudosciences then this book is for you. This book tries to cover a whole range of issues in one volume. It is far too much of a task to try and do that and it shows. Basically look at the subjects he is talking about and then go read more about them elsewhere. This is far from the definitive book on the subject and that is the only thing that you can truly take away with you after reading this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A MUST READ
Review: As a science student at university I bought this book expecting it to confirm and perhaps broaden my understanding of sceptical thinking, and how too many people do not employ it. Something that I have found frustrating on many an occasion. I was delighted to find that this book was gave me a terrific insight into why sceptical thinking and science should be employed in every possible way. And how failing to do so can result in the direst consequences. Sagan devotes much of the first part of the book to the current fad of alien abduction. This is something that becomes a bit drawn out and boring and in my opinion the only flaw of this book. He does so comparing the many similarities to the role of demons in centuries past. He describes one example of how when scepticism is not used people will devise the most wild and unjust thinking which leads such ordeals as witch hunts. He makes the case that in today's increasingly scientifically dependant western society, people, especially Americans, are abandoning scepticism. Few politicians understand science, and the applicability of it's philosophies. Furthermore the general public is becoming increasingly scientifically illiterate. If this trend continues we could easily slip into another 'dark age' of witch hunts. This book is one of those rare books that I would insist that everyone reads. Far too few people understand that to abandon scepticism, relying upon blind faith and assertions, is to close ones eyes, and abandon all hope of understanding the truth. Demon haunted world is truly a masterpiece. I found it completely engaging, and full of most valuable insights. Demon Haunted world will light the darkness for anyone that reads it.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book to humble excellent books.
Review: This book should be considered mandatory reading for all high school or college students. It is well-written guide to clear thinking and rational thought. Sagan cites hundreds of sources to provide strength to his theories of why people believe in the paranormal (alien abductions, psychics, Uri Geller, etc).
Rating: 
Summary: Raised some good points but too repetitive
Review: this is a book written by a knowledgeable man that has his feet firmly planted on the ground. the basic idea the author tries to deliver is to be logical. plus: the book lists several myths and debunked them with scientific logic and simple explainations. it is all very logical and entertaining. minus: the author tends to repeat himself, it may be due to the fact that he doesnt organize his topics well. he also gives some statistics on how easily people are 'fooled', how people believe too readily in myths; and blames it on the fact that scientific illiteracy is low. he would go on to politicise the issue a little in the last few chapters. this would be a very good book if the author tackles each listed topic individually. however, he tends to cross link and concentrated too much on UFO's. giving only half or a quarter of a chapter to other myths stated in the covers, withcraft, demons and faith healing. it gets tiring at times reading the book. kudo's to the author for being able to make this dry subject entertaining enough, but i'm afraid more effort is needed to make it an easier read. one point he makes that impacts me a lot though, just apply a little scientific logic and we won't be so easily fooled by hoaxes. we have to be scientifically literate first though!
Rating: 
Summary: Useful...But be Careful.
Review: Carl Sagan has written some of the best modern works considering the inherent differences in method of people who view the world logically and scientifically and those who view the world in terms of faith (or as he would likely put it, in terms of superstition). His overall logical method of intelligent skepticism is good--in as much as it applies to considerations of the physical world and provable phenomena. And his call for skepticism is refreshing and well concieved--in as far as it goes. The problems I find inherent in his work are the same that have plagued all materialistic writers since the enlightenment who have attempted to discount metaphysics completely as a result of its flaws (which are admittedly many). He is, however, right that the only method that should be applied to the physical world is that of logic and rationalism. It's important to recognize that the two may exist--but just in different spheres. If this work interests you I would suggest Francis Bacon's "Novum Organum" and any of the philosophical writings of Descartes.
Rating:
Summary: As the title says: A candle in the dark!
Review: This is a great book, full of surprises. It points out how to think skeptically, how to know the difference from science and the rest of the stuff people show everywhere and all the time.
A walk towards real knowledge!
Rating: 
Summary: Carl Sagan should not have strayed into the English dept.
Review: This was a very disappointing book. This book had no real journey to it; rather, it was a ranting of people's acceptance of Pseudo-science. Unfortunately, the book seemed to go round and round and never went anywhere. I was especially disturbed that he was guilty of the same thing that he accused the so-called pseudo-sciences with--lack of facts.
Rating:
Summary: Elegant writing, powerful message. It will make you think.
Review: I think Carl Sagan was preparing for the worst of his declining health when he wrote this book. The book 'Billions & billions' is actually a collection of many of his early writings, so 'Demon haunted world' probably was his last book. And Sagan seems to pour out all of his passion, fondest memory of his parents, concerns for the future of humanity into this book. The book is full of surprising&sobering facts. And his writing style is as elegant and beautiful as any of his other books. Highly recommended for any 'thinking' person.
Rating:
Summary: Pointing the Baloney Detector Kit
Review: The late popualist of darwainian evolution and physics was a great communicator of scientific ideas, theories, and laws. In this book, Carl Sagan addresses the validity of ideas such as aliens, ghosts, faith healers, and pyschics - just to name a few.The first half of the book is outstanding, and though I may disagree on some minor detials, all in all, it is a much needed work for a generation lost in the fine art of critical thinking. Sagan then goes on to discuss critical thinking in "The Fine Art of Baloney Detection." This chapter is a strength and it is here that he quickly, but very intelligently tells teh reader how to develop a 'baloney detctor kit.' He discusses everything from 'Occam's Razor', ad hominem, and argument from authority (unfornuately, Sagan often himself has failed in this area himself, but one cannot be to hard on him, he tells teh reader how to spot it). Though this chapter is not completely exhaustive, it is probablity all someone just introduced to the subject could handel at once. Further, Sagan, who was always quick to critize others, also takes a stab at showing the reader his own mistakes as a sciencetist and how sometimes his baise would get in the way of clear thinking. I have read some of Sagan's other books and have always been impressed with his skill at conveying information in fiction and non-fiction. I have most ofetn disagreed with him and in this book, I sometimes think he goes beyond logic and science himself. However, this is still an excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've read
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read. It's the type of book that everyone should read. I found it to be a great treatment of scientific thinking and the differences between "pseudoscience" and real science. After reading this book I found myself constantly trying to apply the concepts from the chapter: The Fine Art of Baloney Detection. A wonderful book and Sagan is a great writer. I highly recommend it.
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