{"product_id":"the-demon-haunted-world-science-as-a-candle-in-the-dark-9780345409461","title":"The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNEW YORK TIMES \u003c\/i\u003eBESTSELLER - From the renowned astronomer and author of \u003ci\u003eCosmos \u003c\/i\u003ecomes a \"powerful [and] stirring defense of informed rationality\" (\u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post Book World\u003c\/i\u003e) in a world where fake news stories and Internet conspiracy theories play to a disaffected American populace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLOS ANGELES TIMES \u003c\/i\u003eBOOK PRIZE WINNER - \"Glorious . . . A spirited defense of science . . . From the first page to the last, this book is a manifesto for clear thought.\"--\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow can we make intelligent decisions about our increasingly technology-driven lives if we don't understand the difference between the myths of pseudoscience, New Age thinking, and fundamentalist zealotry and the testable hypotheses of science? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCasting a wide net through history and culture, 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. He examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies as witchcraft, faith healings, 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCarl Sagan \u003c\/b\u003eserved as the David Duncan Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences and Director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies at Cornell University. He played a leading role in the Mariner, Viking, Voyager, and Galileo spacecraft expeditions, for which he received the NASA Medals for Exceptional Scientific Achievement and (twice) for Distinguished Public Service. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e His Emmy- and Peabody-winning television series, \u003ci\u003eCosmos, \u003c\/i\u003ebecame the most widely watched series in the history of American public television. The accompanying book, also called \u003ci\u003eCosmos, \u003c\/i\u003eis one of the bestselling science books ever published in the English language. Dr. Sagan received the Pulitzer Prize, the Oersted Medal, and many other awards--including twenty honorary degrees from American colleges and universities--for his contributions to science, literature, education, and the preservation of the environment. In their posthumous award to Dr. Sagan of their highest honor, the National Science Foundation declared that his \"research transformed planetary science . . . his gifts to mankind were infinite.\" Dr. Sagan died on December 20, 1996.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Ballantine Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50580379795730,"sku":"9780345409461","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_db3d050e-bd81-456e-82e4-65f2a8425a40.jpg?v=1732009482","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-demon-haunted-world-science-as-a-candle-in-the-dark-9780345409461","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}