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Summary: Mind-liberating reading
Review: This book is Carl Sagan's legacy to the world. His message is - face reality, cast away the myths, and you will find that there is nothing to be afraid of. He debunks superstition while acknowledging the limitations of science - he does not attempt to replace one deity with another. If I had to recommend just one text to be ESSENTIAL READING for college students, I would choose this one.
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Summary: Another science fanatic...
Review: There is nothing new in this book that has not been said thousands of times elswhere. Sagan argues over and over again that we are all better off because of science. Excuse me? My species is in danger of extinction via bacterial terrorism, thanks to science; we are polluting ourselves out of a livable planet thanks to science, every rogue nation posesses nuclear warfare thanks to science, we can look forward to spending the last twenty years of our life senile and incontinent in a nursing home thanks to the "advances" of medical science, etc. Sagan, like most science fanatics, believes that science MUST be good, because it uncovers knowledge. He refuses to admit the possibility that some knowledge is best left in the dark. The result is that the future belongs to any corporation or tyrant who can gain control over the complete manipulation of mankind which is now available via genetic and other engineering (thanks again to science, Carl). Did it ever occur to Sagan that man, being nothing more than a mutant strain of primate DNA, might not be able to EVER responsibly handle the knowledge that science uncovers? To argue that science should not be blamed for its misuse by man is ludicrous. Who does Sagan think will be using all of this information? Omniscient, super-rational beings? Science can be a candle in the dark, it is true. It can also be the beginning of a planet plunged into infinite darkness, void of all life forever and ever. There are two sides to the science coin. This book only looks at one side, the simplistic view of science as "savior" of mankind. It is a comfortable delusion for those who have made a religion out of science rather than face the inevitable nihilism of the modern world. While this book is amusing for its exposes of cultic beliefs (ufo's, etc.), the overall argument is the product of an adolescent mind; the fantasy of a boy who dreams of making the world a better place with his chemistry set. More likely, he will build a bomb to settle a "score" with his classmates (read the papers!).
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Summary: Simply essential reading
Review: I join the chorus of those singing the praises of this magnificent book. Carl Sagan, of course, did not invent skeptical thinking, and this is not the first time it has been explained and endorsed, but Sagan certainly has done a superb job of presenting his perspective in a warm and lucid way. This is one of those rare books that has the potential to make our world a better place. That said, I recognize the fact that the perspective Sagan espoused is sure to displease many. Personally, I feel that he made a remarkable attempt at handling his subject matter in a civilized and reasonably respectful manner, but many readers will look past the real message -- his eloquent explication of the value of and need for critical thinking -- and simply see an attack on their beliefs. In this regard, I believe that they shortchange themselves. The beauty of the approach that Sagan has taken is that he understands that attempting to prove a negative proposition is generally futile, e.g., it is simply not possible to disprove the existence of phenomena such as UFOs (can we travel to every corner of the universe and demonstate that they are nowhere to be found?). Rather than fruitlessly attempting to show that they don't exist, Sagan demonstrates that we must examine why we should believe that they do exist. The book, therefore, is not really about "debunking" UFOs, etc., but rather about ourselves and our ability to think clearly about the universe around us. Fervent "believers" of any stripe -- whether in UFOs or organized religion (and especially adherents of the latter, many of whom seem to feel as though they have a divine license to instruct everyone else on what to believe and how to behave but typically are defensive and outraged when presented with a contrary opinion) -- will not read this book objectively. Many people will believe what they like, regardless of the evidence or lack thereof. Any careful reader of the book will note that Sagan obviously understood this to be the case. His point is not to destroy faith, but rather to distinguish it from fact. Many of the problems faced by our species flow not from the existence of faith, but rather from its being mistaken for, or presented as, fact. Sagan's primary goal was constructive, not destructive: to show that clear, critical thinking is the key to unlocking the wonder of real, tangible world we live in. His achievement is invaluable. Everyone should read this book.
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Summary: Excelent! Must read Book!
Review: This is an obrigatory, must read/have book! Spetially to University students; of all fields and subjects. Sagan's style is, as usual, fascinating. I highly recomend it.
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Summary: Everyone should read this book
Review: I have been involved in the PUST (Public Understanding of Science and Technology) community in the UK for a number of years and I found this book to be an informative and enjoyable read. It is a book that everyone, but especially every teacher and parent, should read. The writing style is excellent and it really shows Sagan's love and enthusiasm for the subject. It also has a huge amount of factual information that can be used in debunking frauds. It is such a great shame that science has lost one of its greatest teachers. Duncan Franklin
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Summary: Too Heavy On Science And Scepticism.
Review: Carl Sagan's book really reminded me of the importance of challenging not only my own biases, and mistakenly believing they are "real" and "true" because they are familiar to me, but of challenging the assumptions of other people's predjudices as well. In particular he reminds us that to assume that people with "authority" know the answers, and to then accept what they say as truth without critically examining what they assume, is to error. On the down side, I think that the author neglected some very important aspects of the human experience. I think that he errored on the side of caution in assuming that if we can't "prove" something to be true, then we should simply fall into scepticism. However, I like to do many things that are very enjoyable and they are enjoyable for no "scientific" reason. I like to go surfing. However, when I think critically about why I like to surf I can't come up with a good reason for my enjoyment of the sport. Nevertheless, I know that I like it. In college I read many philosophers, in fact I was a philosophy major and am now a psychotherapist, and I really enjoyed reading William James' books. He was a pragmatist philosopher. He was a truly open-minded and accepting philosopher (as well as a psychologist and M.D.). He was so accepting of other people's "truth" (as it is true for them). He genuinely was accepting of other people's experience, not just ideas and theory. In my opinion, this is what is missing from the Sagan book--an open mind. Sagan implies he is open-minded by allowing science to, no matter how much someone else believe's something from personal experience, subvert and destroy an irrational belief. But how irrational is an idea that is helping someone and "works" FOR THEM? I don't know if I believe there is a God or not, and I am not religous, but I am OK enough with myself to allow others to feel they know something to be true even if science can't prove it!
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Summary: A fitting final work by Carl Sagan. An illuminating read.
Review: This book should be required reading in Schools. While debunking the "alien abduction" phenomena, you can't help but apply his rationale and logic to other areas, as well. A wonderfull piece of logic and reason in the midst of today's psuedoscience and popular myth.
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Summary: Put it at the top of your reading list
Review: I often recommend this book as a first-rate introduction to the modern scientific world-view. Without being dogmatic or condescending (and in beautiful, polished prose), Carl Sagan debunks many aspects of modern pseudoscience. This is truly an antidote to the sloppy thinking that plagues so many in today's society. If I could, I would give out free copies on the street corner. I share the sentiments of Roger Penrose, one of the reviewers: Please, read this book.
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Summary: Important critique of irrationality.
Review: A must-have book for those who are interested in the truth- the truth being the degree with something corresponds to reality. This book is a total reality check- solid as a rock!
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Summary: A book that can change your entire perspective.
Review: I am increasingly concerned that civilization might be moving towards the Dark Ages again. The rise of right-wing religious extremism in the United States, of Muslim fundamentalism in the Middle East, and of Church involvement in ever greater portions of secular life are but a few signs of this fact. Even worse, ignorance grows unchecked among the masses. And with ignorance comes submission to authoritarian rule, which -of course- is the anthitesis of freedom. Carl Sagan's book is a cry of warning against this insidious process. This should be required reading in schools and college. "Free your mind, and the rest will follow!"
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