The demon-haunted world : science as a candle in the dark

When I first read this book, maybe 20 years ago, I found it invigorating and inspiring, a defense of science and skepticism unlike anything I had read before. Reading it again now it seems a bit more unfocused than I remember, and I didn't really appreciate the long lists of comments he had received on various topics, some chapters being little more than that, and far more than necessary to get the point across. But mostly I just found it depressing, not for any fault in the text, but that it was a timely warning about the consequences of devaluing science and rationality in the mass media and public discourse, which as we can see all around us, was not heeded.

I can hear Sagan's voice when I read this

This book is an education in scientific and skeptical thinking. It clears away many misconceptions one might have and even challenges ideas when you thought you agreed.