"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
"POWERFUL . . . A stirring defense of informed rationality. . . Rich in
surprising information and beautiful writing."
; *The Washington Post Book World
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.
"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
