"One of the world's leading astrobiologists takes us on an awe-inspiring journey across the cosmos to investigate some of humanity's most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe? And, how did life on Earth begin? We are living in a golden age in astronomy and in the search for life the universe. Over the last few decades, space exploration has shown that not only are there habitable environments within our solar system, but there are millions...

Introduction to life on Earth, tracing it from its origins through the twentieth century, showing the wide variety of plants and animals, and discussing how they cope with changing weather conditions, predators, and other threats to their survival.

Every fossil tells a story. Prothero recounts the adventures behind the discovery of twenty-five famous, beautifully preserved fossils and explains their significance within the larger fossil record, creating a riveting history of life on our planet.

Discusses practical applications of astronomy, various aspects of our solar system, and the possibility of extraterrestrial intelligence.