The Demon-Haunted World
Science as a Candle in the Dark
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The Demon-Haunted World
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Narrated by:
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Cary Elwes
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Seth MacFarlane
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By:
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Carl Sagan
About this listen
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.What listeners say about The Demon-Haunted World
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Nick Clutterbuck
- 22-05-2020
5 stars!!
Every child needs to learn how to think skeptically, the content of this book will help with that. I never learnt to think skeptically and have been through all kinds of pseudo science and religious beliefs.. I'm now 34.. I wish I had learned much earlier.
you won't be disappointed!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 20-02-2024
Sagan's insight
Amazing. I'll not be the first to suggest it , nor the last , but this book , actually Sagan's work in general, should be compulsory reading in school's the world over. An incredible insight and equally incredible intellect. All of which pales in comparison to his communication skills.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Eddie Trimarchi
- 26-07-2024
Brilliant and insightful
I'd been meaning to read this book for decades having read Billions and Billions many years ago.
The recent spate of Carl Sagan memes on social media referencing Sagan quotes reminded me to get back to it. This is also my first audiobook and great choice it was.
Carl Sagan's knowledge of history and rational thought process makes sense of what otherwise seems like senseless human behaviour through history and into the present.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 10-01-2021
interesting relivent
really interesting
really relivent to today.
I loved how the author drawes parables between science and quark science to show the vast difference. also talks about some of the problems with how science is portrayed in media today and how it misses the real spark and light of science.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 20-08-2024
Twistish
I loved the what seems like a twist. It’s high time to be on the right side of history or be gone.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Ben Hansen
- 04-11-2024
As Relevant Today As It Was 30 Years Ago
Few, if any, have ever possessed as wondrous a combination of warmth, eloquence and intelligence as Carl Sagan possessed. It would be very difficult to find a better instructor for anyone who chooses to build themselves a top quality "baloney detection kit" with which to navigate a world which is ever more awash in baloney.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 17-11-2022
Gets better with time
You need to give this book some time to move to more interesting topics. Carl talks a lot of time with alien abductions, false memories, and imaginary satanic cabals, give it the time to pass and it get way more interesting. Also, the voice work is superb.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-10-2022
classic
Great sciencific book still relevant, although some discoveries have been made since writing like gravitational waves mainly loved the skeptical and critical thinking information, and the baloney testing tool kit.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mr Jonathan L Coles
- 05-05-2024
Remarkably insightful, engagingly written
Remarkably insightful, engagingly written, and maybe even more important and relevant today than when it was written in terms of the threats to freedom that exist today in the countries that have it.
The narration by both readers, established stars in their own rights, was very good too.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- A Z
- 27-09-2024
Cary was amazing and captured Carl's voice
thoroughly enjoyable work presented perfectly by a proper talent. do yourself a favour and enjoy it!
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