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Summary: Should be read by everyone above age 8.
Review: I'm not very far from retirement, but continute to learn many things I wish someone had told me before I was 18. This book should be required reading for every adult already out of school, and for every student in every school, to be repeated every year, beginning in about 3rd grade and continuing through college.
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Summary: Wonderful book on the scientific method
Review: Everyone on this pale blue dot called Earth should read this book. Clear. Well-written. Engaging. Thought-provoking. It's an antidote to today's emotional and ideologically-biased society of sloppy-thinkers. I miss Dr. S.
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Summary: The best book I've read so far!
Review: Nine years ago I read "Les Miserables," and I thought that book, which is a masterpiece, would be my favorite for life. How could anyone top that? My champion of nine years has been dethroned! The "Demon-Haunted World," should be read by every person on the planet ESPECIALLY Americans and even more so for our politicians. I could talk (write) about this book for a very long time. Please read this book. You will not regret it.
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Summary: Interesting passages mingle with undermining premises
Review: An emminently successful popularizer even if often a slightly fuzzy and stilted writer and thinker on the cutting edges of science, this book appears to represent something of an explanation of the underpinning philosophies present in much of Carl Sagan's work.As with so much else that he has written, there are numerous high-points here. Unfortunately, there are also a plethora of low points, including an unwillingness to introduce empirical data and analyses that might make his task (berating "straw men") more formiddable -- and significantly more interesting. Rather than providing us with a most pursuasive account of views contrary to his own, too often Sagan side-steps the messiness of science to present the enterprise as a unified front. As a rhetorical device, this is a fine mode of addressing "uncritical minds". Ultimately, however, it udnermines much of what he expounds, since a thoroughly critical mind will find much to quibble with and even more to question. Ironically, Sagan suggests that what we (as "Americans") need to foster is more critical thinking. To have written the book without being willing to engage in the nuanced discussion of criticism against the propositions he makes -- which would be necessary to pursuasively argue many of his key points -- sets the work up for disaster. Applying the tools of critical thinking he proffers to his own work demonstrates two things: 1) These tools *are* useful (presenting them is one of the book's high points), 2) Many assertions and editorial choices in the direction of the book's discourse do not withstand the application of his tools. To have in one place some basic factual research about where many mistaken notions in what he calls pseudo-science originated (the etymology -- even social history -- of "flying saucer," is one example) is both interesting and useful. Taken as a whole, however, the book falters as often as not. For a useful contrast, review Gould's "Full House" (a five star book by this writer's estimation). He admits of every scrap of doubt, gives each full and complete airing, and drives his points home much more compellingly. The difference, in essence, between Sagan and Gould rests in the belief one can infer from each's writings about who their readers are: Gould treats his readers as equals, who are able to critically and exactingly share in the messiness and detailed glory of his subjects. Sagan treats his readers as if they are not yet critical thinkers on the level of the author himself -- and that the readers must be catered to, accordingly.
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Summary: Interesting Book
Review: It was fun reading this book as this was my very next book after I finished Erich Von Daniken's Book "Chariots of God?". The sharp contrast between the style and content of the two authors made this a very interesting reading. Mr. Sagan seems to have a taken a very hard look at the ideas and theories that have been with the mankind for ages. Mr. Sagan should have avoided "The other guy is wrong" attitude.
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Summary: Brilliant
Review: The contents of this book shows us, clearly, that the world still doesn't know what it lost with Dr. Sagan's death. Read it and discover the real power of science. We miss you Carl.
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Summary: A beautiful treatise on the virtues of rational thought!
Review: Sagan makes his case for rational thought and skepticism and in the process brings truth to the psuedosciences including faith healing, ufo sightings, and alient abductions.
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Summary: The object of my affection.
Review: To describe this book in one word would be ...fascinating! Truly fascinating! I came into this book thinking it was going to be talking about how we believe in demons and such. I wasn't prepared for all that i got out of Carl Sagan's The Demon Haunted World. I am glad that i got the chance to read such an intriguing book. I understand where Sagan is coming from when he says that we are leaning way too much on Pseudoscience. Science seems to me to be the framework that we all need. Science provides us the method of solving our problems. Pseudoscience gives us the answers we want to have. Sagan made me think of my own life and how I am living it. Sagan was man who had a great passion for Science. The intensity of his feelings were shown through out the entire book. Sagan tackled difficult subjects like aliens, halluncinations, and such with great manner and respect. He expressed his feelings in a way that whatever he said seemed to be convincing. Though that is not always great. By writing this book Sagan seemed to open the doors of Science which have been locked. Sagan opens our minds about the wonders of science. He makes us think about our own lives. He shows us the ways of science that would do only good for us. It's time for all of us to see the beauty of science. Thanks to Sagan's magnificent book I have begun my journey on a new paved road. Though I don't know what lies before me; I know I will always have hope and now science.
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Summary: An awakening experience
Review: This book literally propelled me on a quest of discovery. I have read more books in the year or so after reading this than I have in the last 10. I now read non-fiction books exclusively , preferring to spend my free time attempting to learn more than just be 'entertained'. Thank you Carl.
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Summary: Good informative book but not for alien buffs.
Review: I found this book to be very informative and factual. Sagan argues how in an advanced society such as ours, where science and technology are at its peak, many people are turning to pseudoscience New Age thinking and cults. He sees these things as being very ignorant and threatening our culture. The bulk of his book is comprised of facts that prove things such as aliens, ghosts, and spiritual visions are false. He gives hard scientific facts throughout the book but leaves alot of things uncertain. For example he disproves the existance of aliens but says they might be out there. He also says that 99% of all spiritual visions are hallucinations caused by physical and psychological problems whithin ourselves, but he never says what the other 1% is caused by. Things such as these appear through out the book which makes it difficult at times to see exactly where he stands. I would recomend this book to those people who do not believe in anything that can not be proven by science. You will enjoy the facts that Sagan precents throughout this book. If you are an alien buff, conspiracy theorist, holistic healer and believer, or cult member this book is not for you.
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