The Demon-Haunted World

The Demon-Haunted World PDF Author: Carl Sagan
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0307801047
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 474

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Book Description
A prescient warning of a future we now inhabit, where fake news stories and Internet conspiracy theories play to a disaffected American populace “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 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. Praise for The Demon-Haunted World “Powerful . . . A stirring defense of informed rationality. . . Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing.”—The Washington Post Book World “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

The Demon-Haunted World

The Demon-Haunted World PDF Author: Carl Sagan
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 0307801047
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 474

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Book Description
A prescient warning of a future we now inhabit, where fake news stories and Internet conspiracy theories play to a disaffected American populace “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 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. Praise for The Demon-Haunted World “Powerful . . . A stirring defense of informed rationality. . . Rich in surprising information and beautiful writing.”—The Washington Post Book World “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

Haunted World War II

Haunted World War II PDF Author: Matthew L. Swayne
Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide
ISBN: 0738756148
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 171

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Book Description
ON HALLOWED AND HAUNTED GROUND Discover the paranormal legacy of the Second World War. In this book, you will encounter dozens of phenomena in the European and Pacific theaters as well as historic locations in the US where the spirits of the dead are unable—or unwilling—to let the past go. The ghost of an admiral gives a tour of the USS Lexington Tourists at Dieppe are haunted by the terrifying sounds of battle A full-body apparition appears at Schofield Barracks Ghost tanks are witnessed patrolling the Russian front Phantom footsteps shock the guards at Hickam Air Force Base Ghostly soldiers knock on doors at Iwo Jima A spirit-sailor keeps eternal watch at Pearl Harbor This book also shares fascinating stories of supernatural warfare. Learn about wizards and witches in England casting spells to hold the Germans at bay; Dion Fortune and the Fraternity of the Inner Light working magic in support of the Allies; and Aleister Crowley waging a psychic campaign to capture high-ranking Nazi, Rudolf Hess. Haunted World War II explores the high strangeness and haunted aftermath of the most devastating clash of nations in living history.

The World's Creepiest Places

The World's Creepiest Places PDF Author: Dr. Bob Curran
Publisher: Red Wheel/Weiser
ISBN: 1601636369
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 282

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Book Description
There are some places in the world where humans quite simply should not go. Not just haunted places, but sites where ancient forces still hold sway. We can recognize such locations by the responses they evoke within us—that feeling we call “the creeps.” But just where are these places, and why do they terrify us? In The World’s Creepiest Places, Dr. Curran visits some of these sites, looking at their history and traditions and exploring the creepy feeling they evoke in people who have been there. His travels range widely—from his native Ireland and through the empty deserts of the Middle East, to the misty hills of Tibet and back through Europe to America. He’s not only looking for ghosts, but also for sinister people, vampires, the living dead, doorways to other worlds—even venturing close to the Gates of Hell itself! This is not just a ghostly travel book. It’s for those who want to explore the weird, out-of-the-way locations of our planet and test the boundaries of the reality many of us take for granted. We dare you to take the journey with us!

The Scientific Attitude

The Scientific Attitude PDF Author: Lee McIntyre
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262039834
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 291

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Book Description
An argument that what makes science distinctive is its emphasis on evidence and scientists' willingness to change theories on the basis of new evidence. Attacks on science have become commonplace. Claims that climate change isn't settled science, that evolution is “only a theory,” and that scientists are conspiring to keep the truth about vaccines from the public are staples of some politicians' rhetorical repertoire. Defenders of science often point to its discoveries (penicillin! relativity!) without explaining exactly why scientific claims are superior. In this book, Lee McIntyre argues that what distinguishes science from its rivals is what he calls “the scientific attitude”—caring about evidence and being willing to change theories on the basis of new evidence. The history of science is littered with theories that were scientific but turned out to be wrong; the scientific attitude reveals why even a failed theory can help us to understand what is special about science. McIntyre offers examples that illustrate both scientific success (a reduction in childbed fever in the nineteenth century) and failure (the flawed “discovery” of cold fusion in the twentieth century). He describes the transformation of medicine from a practice based largely on hunches into a science based on evidence; considers scientific fraud; examines the positions of ideology-driven denialists, pseudoscientists, and “skeptics” who reject scientific findings; and argues that social science, no less than natural science, should embrace the scientific attitude. McIntyre argues that the scientific attitude—the grounding of science in evidence—offers a uniquely powerful tool in the defense of science.

Everyone's Choices

Everyone's Choices PDF Author: Ralph Edwin Robinson
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595355196
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
Choices contains three themes; The first: Earth can be a Paradise if we sculpt it to be; it can be Perdition if we allow it to be. The second is that we are our own self-authors and we can author a world Paradise. The third statement: Of course we are at peace, do you think we are stupid? Choices ably connects the three dots! Enjoy discovering a path to world peace, easing bigotry and fixing education. "Choices is sound, easy to follow, inventive, exciting and well reasoned." -Marylou Hughes, L.C.S.W., D.P.A., counselor, author "Robinson has used his practical experience and a lifetime of research to present and deliver a comprehensive series of logical conclusions. In Choices, he looks at the human condition not [only] from a new point of view, but from the mind of a man who has lived it." -Jim Ernst, author, player of bridge and deliverer of judgment

Illuminightmare

Illuminightmare PDF Author: Lucy Brownridge
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
ISBN: 1786035472
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 66

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Book Description
Set off on a supernatural journey to visit the most haunted places on Earth in this follow-up to the best-selling Illuminature, Illumanatomy, and Illuminatlas. Use your three-color lens to explore each place: use the green lens to see the location, the red lens to see remnants from its history, and the blue lens to reveal the supernatural things that lurk behind the shadows. Packed with historical facts, rich folklore from around the world, and plenty of mystery, Milan-based design duo Carnovsky have created a haunted compendium like no other. For thousands of years, people from every corner of the globe have told stories, folk tales, and legends about unnerving encounters with the supernatural. Often, a haunted place has a rich history we can see in our earthly world. And sometimes this history echoes on in the form of ghosts or supernatural spirits. Here, incredible interactive illustrations reveal the history and haunted secrets of the 10 most haunted places in the world: · Hermitage, Russia · St. Therese Shipwreck, Greece · Bran Castle, Romania · Salem, Massachusetts, USA · Tower of London, UK · Bhangarh Fort, India · Black Forest, Germany · San Juan Chamula Cemetery, Mexico · Picton, Australia · The Giza Pyramids, Egypt Look through the green lens to see the place and its surroundings by day. See which plants and animals, buildings, and cultural artefacts you can spot on the map. Use thered lens to learn about the history and real-life inhabitants of this place. Then turn the page to learn more about the cultural highlights and natural wonders in the field guide. If you dare, look through the blue lens to reveal the hidden horrors, supernatural goings on, and ghosts who haunt this place. There’s so much more to the world around us than meets the eye. 'Dazzling' - Publishers Weekly 'Readers will find chills and chuckles alike' - Kirkus 'Multidimensional and other worldly' - The Wandering Bookseller 'A truly immersive experience' - Picture Books Blogger

The Galaxy Is Rated G

The Galaxy Is Rated G PDF Author: R.C. Neighbors
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786488018
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 294

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Book Description
Through spaceships, aliens, ray guns and other familiar trappings, science fiction uses the future (and sometimes the past) to comment on current social, cultural and political ideologies; the same is true of science fiction in children's film and television. This collection of essays analyzes the confluences of science fiction and children's visual media, covering such cultural icons as Flash Gordon, the Jetsons and Star Wars, as well as more contemporary fare like the films Wall-E, Monsters vs. Aliens and Toy Story. Collectively, the essays discover, applaud and critique the hidden--and not-so-hidden--messages presented on our children's film and TV screens.

A Year of Fear

A Year of Fear PDF Author: Bryan Senn
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476610908
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 561

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Book Description
This eclectic overview of horror cinema offers up a collection of horror films for practically any occasion and literally every day of the year. For example, the author recommends commemorating United Nations Day (October 24) with a screening of The Colossus of New York, whose startling climax takes place at the U.N. Building. Each day-by-day entry includes the movie title, production year, plot summary and critique, along with a brief explanation of how the film fits into the history of that particular day and interesting anecdotes on the film's production.

The Portable Atheist

The Portable Atheist PDF Author: Christopher Hitchens
Publisher: Da Capo Press
ISBN: 0306816083
Category : Literary Criticism
Languages : en
Pages : 530

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Book Description
Presents excerpts on the subject of religion from the writings of such notable non-believers as John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, Charles Darwin, Mark Twain, H. L. Mencken, Albert Einstein, Richard Dawkins, and Salman Rushdie.

Epic Films

Epic Films PDF Author: Gary Allen Smith
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476604185
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
"Epic" films, those concerned with monumental events and larger-than-life characters, cover the period from the Creation to the A.D. 1200s and have been churned out by Hollywood and overseas studios since the dawn of filmmaking. Cecil B. DeMille, a master of the genre, hit upon the perfect mixture of sex, splendor, and the sacred to lure audiences to his epic productions. The 355 film entries include casts and credits, plot synopsis, and narratives on the making of the films. There are 190 photographs in this editon.