Our planet may be insignificant on a cosmic scale, but the evolution of intelligent life here makes it unusual, it is likely to be unique in our galaxy. Yet we may be on the verge of destroying int, of destroying ourselves - over the next century the future of life in the cosmos could be either jeopardised - of safeguarded for perpetuity.

About the Author

Sir Martin Rees FRS is the most eminent cosmologist in Britain, the Astronomer Royal and Professor at Cambridge. He lives in Cambridge.

Reviews

"'An important and disturbing book. A lucid, calm, profoundly well-informed work whose humanity...balances the dispassionate logic with which he surveys his subject: the multitude of threats facing humanity in the twenty-first century from error and terror in the nuclear, biological and environmental spheres.' Literary Review"