 "A paean to science" | 2010-02-01 |
| - Reviewed By cassdog from Gainesville, Fl USA |
| A rich and detailed paean to the scientific method and the discoveries that have cured diseases, given us glimpses to universes distant in time and space and fascinated the world with the true stories of our existence. Religious stories were our first attempts at understanding the world, but science has rendered those stories quaint, and presented a world more immense and unimaginable than anything in those texts. As the author points out, science is the only successful method humanity has discovered for determining whether something is true. Mr Sagan presents a celebration of the rich array of the successes of science and why the falsifying, error-correcting, empirical and experimental methods of science are essential tools for finding out truths. The author then discusses the connections between these methods of science and civics. Citing the error-correcting mechanisms imbued in our constitution through the separation of powers and the enlightenment and scientific principles of our founding fathers, Mr Sagan reminds us of the connections between science and public policy. This book is a call for more lucid, rational thinking in all aspects of our civic life. After all, if the scientific method can get us to the moon, surely we can use these tools to shape public policy, and engender the good life for humanity. Easily the best work of Mr Sagan's that I've read. |
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 "Arguments for logic and reason" | 2010-01-19 |
| - Reviewed By Lance C. Hibbeler from Urbana, IL, USA |
Dr. Carl Sagan, the late great popularizer of all things science, takes on pseduoscience in his last book, "The Demon-Haunted World." Topics include crop circles, alien abductions, and psychic powers, just to name a few, all discussed in the context of applying logic and asking questions to explain how the scientific method works and why such topics are "baloney." Not content just to expose the BS for what it is, Sagan provides a "baloney detection kit," a number of general questions and logical fallacies to be aware of, that a reader can employ in his or her own life. Sagan writes in a easy, conversational manner, and makes his points in several different ways. Some would see this as repetitive and meandering, but I believe that Sagan did this to make sure he got his point across in one way or another to his audience- the general public.
Unfortunately, Sagan falls into some of his own baloney in constructing his arguments. I suppose you could argue this was intentional, as practice for his readers. He occasionally falls into diatribes that would befit a preacher, however. Typical of Sagan, he rips on religion for presenting non-falsifiable claims without evidence, sequestration of questioning and debate, and other things not allowed in science. Sagan does not hide his politics, which I think goes against the main argument of the book, no matter how passionately he may have felt. Nevertheless, I heartily recommend this book to everyone. The best thing you can do for yourself is to educate yourself, and this book will help you by explaining how to apply the scientific method to your daily life. |
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| "Should be mandatory reading" | 2010-01-07 |
| - Reviewed By Valerie DeBill from Austin, TX USA |
This book should be mandatory reading in middle school. It's easy-to-read and accessible, and with the trend in the U.S. of engaging in illogical and magical thinking, this would serve as an excellent primer in how science works and why it should be relied upon.
Sagan is such a good writer; I love all of his books for their straight, no-nonsense approaches to everything he chooses to cover. |
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| "Sciene & skepticism..." | 2009-11-12 |
| - Reviewed By Michael Meadon from Durban, South Africa |
The locus classicus of the modern skeptical movement is arguably Carl Sagan's last book, "The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark". I figured it's about time I read it. Hopefully this isn't too blasphemous, but I wasn't as impressed with it as many others seem to be. For one thing, Sagan patches together a lot of recycled material from essays and speeches and the result is a book that occasionally doesn't quite flow or fit together coherently. (Books of essays that pretend to be monographs are a pet peeve of mine). Don't get me wrong: the writing is great but, while the individual paragraphs are all good, they often don't fit together.
I don't want to overdo my criticism though; "The Demon-Haunted World" is certainly a fantastic book and one very much worth reading. I particularly liked Sagan's explanations of the scientific method (and `baloney detection'), and he covers the European witch craze brilliantly. Also impressive is his trademark mixture of critical analysis and wonder: the universe, contends Sagan, is beautifully intricate and deserving of awe. Also significant is his explanation of how science combines radical open-mindedness with ruthless criticism of ideas. (
One final comment: contrary to a blurb on the book that Sagan is "unfailingly respectful of religion", I was quite surprised to see how critical he is of it. He doesn't seem to belong to the school that strictly adheres to the principle that advocating scientific skepticism and atheism should be kept separate. I say right on.
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| "Enlightening Book" | 2009-11-02 |
| - Reviewed By An Amazon User |
| Too bad Carl Sagan has passed away... he seemed to know quite a bit about this world. His book was fascinating! |
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| "Changed my life" | 2009-10-22 |
| - Reviewed By Namu Tenri-O-no-Mikoto from USA |
What makes this book so powerful is that it has nothing to do with metaphysical beliefs, but only about the world we see and how we can make accurate conclusions about it. In other words, it's about science, not religion-- it's the polar opposite of an atheist screed. For this reason the entire work is extremely respectful and can be a cornerstone in the life of any thinking person. It provides the secret to understanding and appreciating the universe.
When I first read this book I was 13 years old and believed in many silly things like UFOs and angels. My life was completely changed. I have read it over and over again since, for the sake of holding my beliefs up to Sagan's compassionate but fierce rigor. |
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