**A fascinating book on the joys of discovering how the world works, by the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of *Cosmos* and*** **Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors.** * “Magnificent . . . Delightful . . . A masterpiece. A message of tremendous hope for humanity . . . While ever conscious that human folly can terminate man’s march into the future, Sagan nonetheless paints for us a mind-boggling future: intelligent robots, the discovery of extraterrestrial life and its consequences, and above all the challenge and pursuit of the mystery of the universe.” **— *Chicago Tribune*** “Go out and buy this book, because Carl Sagan is not only one of the world’s most respected scientists, he’s a great writer. . . . I can give a book no greater accolade than to say I’m planning on reading it again. And again. And again.” **— *The Miami Herald*** “The brilliant astronomer . . . is persuasive, provocative and readable.” **— *United Press International*** “Closely reasoned, impeccably researched, gently humorous, utterly devastating.” **— *The Washington Post***