Where did the Universe come from? The single biggest and most difficult question that there is. From early religions through Greek Philosophy and Western Science man has always attempted to discover the meaning of our place in the Universe. In the last twenty years these debates have all been stood on their head by amazing discoveries, big bang theory and ideas about new sub-atomic layers. The nature of Time and Space are truly up for grabs. With a witty and accessible style Osborne leads us on a historical and informative journey through the philosophies of the universe including the importance of telescopes, mathematics and relativity theory and ending with contemporary mind-expanding concepts such as the reversibility of time and parallel universes. Chapters include: The Beginnings of Cosmology From Stars In Their Eyes to Telescopes and Beyond The Newtonian Revolution: Mechanics and Maestros The Rise of Modern Cosmology: From Here to Eternity New Dimensions Holes, Bangs and Curvature: Eternity Gets Bigger