A sweeping, reflective history of how we’ve tried to understand the universe.

The physical universe is a most peculiar concept, not only different from the objects it contains but also from space itself. Cosmology—the science that seeks to explain it—has always differed from other sciences, drawing on philosophy and even theology. These influences remain, even in today’s data-driven cosmological models. This accessible and far-reaching book traces the development of cosmological thought from antiquity to the twenty-first century, with particular focus on the foundational work of Einstein, Hubble, and others in the early twentieth century. It explores how modern theories rest on a surprisingly fragile base and argues that many cosmic mysteries may remain permanently unsolved. Rich in historical and philosophical insight, this is a lucid guide to what we know—and perhaps cannot know—about the universe.