n3rd.org » books http://www.n3rd.org random thoughts on not-so-random things Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:29:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Just read: The Demon-Haunted World http://www.n3rd.org/2009/02/27/just-read-the-demon-haunted-world/ http://www.n3rd.org/2009/02/27/just-read-the-demon-haunted-world/#comments Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:30:43 +0000 n3rd http://www.n3rd.org/?p=1117 First off I have to admit that I am a deep admirer of Carl Sagan. I generally try to avoid terms like hero or idol when describing people that influenced me, but to me he is probably as close to a hero as anyone will ever get.
Among other things, he designed the Pioneer plaque, was one of the leading minds behind SETI, created the award-winning globally successful TV series Cosmos and wrote the novel Contact on which the 1997 movie of the same name was based. But he was a man of science, not a mere fiction writer. And science is (despite what the title may suggest) what The Demon-Haunted World is all about.
It’s a book about skeptical thinking, the scientific method and the adversities science is facing in our time. He talks about crop circles, UFOs, faith healers, other pseudosciences and related matters and challenges them with full vigor, but without ever lapsing into polemics. However, this is not just about debunking Atlantis crystals and alien abductions; it deals with matters much more profound. Most of the sociological issues he raises are (sadly enough) still as pressing today as they were when the book was published almost 15 years ago.
I strongly second Richard Dawkins’ assessment that Sagan was “incapable of composing a dull sentence”. If you were to read but one book about science this year, this should be it. Hell, if you were to read just one book in your entire life, this would be one of the best choices you could possibly make.

P.S.: I didn’t even realize until now that “Just read” can be understood as an imperative. While this wasn’t my original intent, in this case you are indeed encouraged to take it that way :)

]]> http://www.n3rd.org/2009/02/27/just-read-the-demon-haunted-world/feed/ 0 Just read: Letter To A Christian Nation http://www.n3rd.org/2009/01/28/just-read-letter-to-a-christian-nation/ http://www.n3rd.org/2009/01/28/just-read-letter-to-a-christian-nation/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:29:53 +0000 n3rd http://www.n3rd.org/?p=879 It’s been a while since I’ve devoured a book like I did with Sam Harris’ Letter To A Christian Nation. I read it back to back last night, though admittedly that’s not much of an accomplishment given that it is only a little over 100 pages long. Even so, it’s a great read for everyone even remotely interested in religion and atheism – no matter what your take on the subject is. Harris discusses the issues raised by religious beliefs in a very concise manner, and it is a little bit easier to read than Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens (for non-native speakers anyway).
Those of you who like this book you will also enjoy The End Of Faith in which he really roasts religion in general (and Islam in particular). He makes a very strong case not only against fundamentalism and to tell you the truth, some of the things he points out are really alarming. If reading isn’t your thing you should at least check out his talks at Beyond Belief or the Aspen Ideas Festival. Highly recommended.

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