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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Written 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
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Performance5 out of 5 stars 49
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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
- Amy D Courser
- 2022-01-13
should be required reading for everyone.
Carl Sagan was my childhood hero. He was a science communicator that made understanding very complicated ideas relatable and easy. Demon-Haunted World explains how critical thinking is absolutely essential to avoid being bamboozled, and to make everything from science, democracy, and day to day life, better.
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1 person 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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- SL
- 2018-11-18
This was a good book.
I enjoyed the explanation of logical fallacies. The section on witch burning and how a similar mentality could arise again was interesting.
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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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-10-07
How wonderful is humanity curiosity and science.
Carl Sagan's beautiful words to expose us the benefits of Science to humans, the book explains to us the importance of knowing the mechanisms of Science over its products. Science has provided wonderful gifts to us, and it is on us to not let ignorance and superstition guide our lives, it is on us to develop our critical thinking skills. This book is still current even after 30 years of being written. One of the most beautiful passages I like is when Carl Sagan declares his love relation with Science.
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1 person 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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- Anonymous User
- 2020-08-14
Truly great perspective
A wild journey in the past and present with science, technology, and culture. I recommend for everyone
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Joel Rocha Trancoso Junior
- 2020-05-26
it's like it was written today
excellent. modern, even though it was written more than 25 years ago. Makes us understand how people act the way they act till this day.
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1 person 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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- Neil
- 2018-06-14
A fantastic and wondrous ride.
Having read this book many years ago and thoroughly enjoying it then. It was a treat to have it read to me so I could relive the experience hands free.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Iamnotaconsumer
- 2022-01-30
life changing
I loved this book, legendary description of the value of science and also of keeping an open mind. Still holds up, maybe now more than ever as critical reading to bridge disagreements.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Brendan Kirchner
- 2022-06-29
the best
This book should be mandatory reading. that's all I can say. it's one of the best written and well read thing I've consumed on here.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Mleoppky
- 2022-12-01
A Must Read
This book is perhaps more relevant today than when it was written.
It speaks effectively and eloquently to the anti-science movement which has been growing exponentially for many years now.
It’s cliche but this book should be in every classroom and be required reading for teachers and students.
And the narrating is so well done, it’s inconceivable!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jibran and Maryam
- 2023-01-17
Truly a Candle in the Dark
“The Demon-Haunted World” is a profound and exquisite discussion of the importance of scientific thinking. If I had to recommend only one book for any and every human to read or listen, this would be it. It is hard to believe yet simultaneously telling how unknown this work of Carl Sagan’s is. It is truly one of the brightest candles in the dark that I have seen.
As for the oral/audio performance, I cannot complain. I think it was exceptionally lucid and delivered in a way I imagine Carl Sagan himself would have desired.
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