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dunnettreader 's review for:
The Demon-Haunted World
by Carl Sagan
I truly wanted to love this book because I admire Carl Sagan. I had planned to use it for our book club discussion. Sadly, the book is too disjointed to discuss or to heartily recommend. It is a collection of essays on various topics relating to science and superstition, pseudoscience, New Age woowoo thinking, and some aspects of religion. Some of the essays started as college lectures, and some were written for Parade Magazine. There is an unevenness to the tone.
I agree with much of Sagan's thinking. I hoped to learn more about science and the scientific method as he presented some of the fuzzy thinking that exists in our society. But the essays varied in quality and were often repetitive of previous essays. His tone is also very dismissive of religious viewpoints, even when they do not concern science. He did not really try to persuade the reader. I felt my hackles rising at certain points. Some of the better essays actually dealt with public life and education. The last chapter, 'Real Patriots Ask Questions' was among the best.
I did a mix of reading the physical book and listening to the audio. Most of the audio was read by actor Cary Elwes, with one chapter in the middle read by Seth McFarlane. I admit to to feeling a disconnect between Elwes' elegant reading and what I remember of Sagan's voice.
Recommended only for hardcore science fans.
I agree with much of Sagan's thinking. I hoped to learn more about science and the scientific method as he presented some of the fuzzy thinking that exists in our society. But the essays varied in quality and were often repetitive of previous essays. His tone is also very dismissive of religious viewpoints, even when they do not concern science. He did not really try to persuade the reader. I felt my hackles rising at certain points. Some of the better essays actually dealt with public life and education. The last chapter, 'Real Patriots Ask Questions' was among the best.
I did a mix of reading the physical book and listening to the audio. Most of the audio was read by actor Cary Elwes, with one chapter in the middle read by Seth McFarlane. I admit to to feeling a disconnect between Elwes' elegant reading and what I remember of Sagan's voice.
Recommended only for hardcore science fans.