How did the Earth get to be the way it is? Just like all of us, it's a product of its ancestors.

A quirky layperson's guide to how things work in the Universe

'[Jillian Scudder's] excellent debut book is all about making complex concepts, if not exactly easy to understand, then at least a little easier to grasp. ? In her enthralling cosmic journey through space and time, astrophysicist Jillian Scudder discusses our home planet's place in the universe. ? The result is a highly readable primer for a basic understanding of phenomena such as shooting stars, black holes, galaxies and the origins of the universe. Beyond the flawless presentation of known facts and current thinking, Scudder explores further by positing counterfactuals and thought experiments. ? The real triumph of Scudder's Astroquizzical is that it brings high-altitude, notionally abstract ideas to the general reader, presented in an entertaining and accessible way. For those more familiar with the universe it will also help to fill some of the knowledge gaps created by advancements in current thinking. In short, it should be required reading for every engineer and technologist.'