The Demon-Haunted World

Science as a Candle in the Dark

By: Carl Sagan

Narrated by: Cary Elwes, Seth MacFarlane

Length: 17 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A prescient warning of a future we now inhabit, where fake news stories and Internet conspiracy theories play to a disaffected American populace

“A glorious book... A spirited defense of science... From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought.” - Los Angeles Times

How can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don’t understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience and the testable hypotheses of science? Pulitzer Prize-winning author and distinguished astronomer Carl Sagan argues that scientific thinking is critical not only to the pursuit of truth but to the very well-being of our democratic institutions.

Casting a wide net through history and culture, Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies of the past as witchcraft, faith healing, demons, and UFOs. And yet, disturbingly, in today's so-called information age, pseudoscience is burgeoning with stories of alien abduction, channeling past lives, and communal hallucinations commanding growing attention and respect. As Sagan demonstrates with lucid eloquence, the siren song of unreason is not just a cultural wrong turn but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms.

Praise for The Demon-Haunted World

“Powerful... A stirring defense of informed rationality... Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing.” - The Washington Post Book World

“Compelling.” - USA Today

“A clear vision of what good science means and why it makes a difference... A testimonial to the power of science and a warning of the dangers of unrestrained credulity.” - The Sciences

“Passionate.” - San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle

©1996 Carl Sagan (P)2017 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Phenomenal

If, 1000 years from now, this book is the only surviving record of human existence, I will not be content. I will be dead. However, if I were paradoxically still alive, I would be content.

Carl Sagan is Astounding!

This was the first book to which I've listened from Carl Sagan and it is amazing! I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Carl Sagan expounds at length on the virtues of skepticism and the scientific method and how it has brought the world out of extreme superstition and greatly elevated the overall status of humanity and implores humanity to maintain a strong dedication to education and learning of science and math in order to better humanity so that we don't fall back into the wretched ways of the past.

A supremely important work

I love Carl Sagan.
I think this is perhaps his crowning achievement. The importance of sceptical thinking and detection of baloney is critical.

Insight on how to tell reason and bullshit apart

Sagan managed to inform the public about how irrational religions are without sounding arrogant in the same time presented the scientific mindset for audience to use as a beacon of bullshit detector.

A mandatory to those who think

Great book, one cannot help but to sense that Carl Sagan was answering a calling when he wrote it. This is the sum and the impetus of his life's work.

Criticism without hate

I learned a lot from the book. Most importantly, expressing criticism without hate.
Carl Sagan nailed it.

Nearly perfect.

It is possible there will never be a more poignant and enlightening piece of literary science communication than this book. When, in the last chapters, Carl Sagan highlights the difficulty of securing finances to build a large collider, in search of the Higgs boson, I was struck by the fact that Carl tragically died before that experiment was finally made into a reality. I nearly wept at the thought. Carl Sagan‘s work is as needed now as it was when it was written. Perhaps more.

Thought provoking and truly supportive of true science versus pseudoscience thinking.

A delightful challenge, to base opinions on ideas that are factual and supported by science versus fear and manipulative processes so often used by society and institutions that are based on prejudice and opinions enforced only to control the uneducated. Ignorance is only bliss for those that live off of the backside of slaves and the uneducated. The author will truly be missed may his works continue on.

A must

This work is something I think everyone should listen to or read at least once

Broad and deep analysis of modern social issues.

I'm must applaud Sagan's integrity. He truly wrote a book for the benefit of mankind. It was more broad than I expected but I appreciate the intention. Some of the sections became confusing when he was covering the letters written by others. It was loaded with incredible information and I'm glad I had a chance to enjoy it.