"An excellent book. Comprehensive and authoritative."

David Morrison ¿ recent winner of the Carl Sagan Medal of the American Astronomical Society for contributions to the public understanding of science.

"Well written and easy to read; it will become a bedside book for any inquiring mind."

Andre Brack ¿ president of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life and chairman of the Exobiology Science Team at the European Space Agency

"An essential insight into life in its cosmic context."

Charles S. Cockell ¿ author of Impossible Extinction and Professor of Microbiology, Planetary and Space Sciences Research Institute, Open University.

"An outstanding introduction into the newly emerging and exciting field of astrobiology."

Gerda Horneck ¿ author of Looking for Life, Searching the Solar System

The study of life and its existence in the universe, known as Astrobiology, is one of the hottest areas of scientific research today. Dartnell discusses the latest theories on what 'life' is, and where in the universe it might be found, and introduces some of the most extreme lifeforms on Earth - those thriving in boiling acid or huddled around deep-sea volcanoes. Taking us on a sweeping tour of the solar system and beyond, he reveals our profound connection to the cosmos, and considers one of the most pressing questions facing scientists today: "is there anything out there?"

Lewis Dartnell is currently researching at CoMPLEX (the Centre for Mathematics & Physics in the Life Sciences and Experimental Biology), at University College London. He has won three national prizes for science writing, and his articles have appeared in publications including The Daily Telegraph and New Scientist.