From the reviews: "Chela-Flores (Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy) supplies up-to-date reviews of the astronomy (so viewers will know where to aim telescopes), a survey of early life on Earth ... and a survey of solar system candidates. ... Overall, a good volume to have on one's library shelf and to function as a required reference in astrobiology courses. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic, general, and professional audiences." (K. L. Schick, Choice, Vol. 49 (6), February, 2012) "I strongly recommend this book, written by a real humanist, to any open-minded reader eager to consider "classical" astrobiology in its philosophical context. The book offers a very rare occasion to access the full dimension of astrobiology: origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the Universe." (Andre Brack, Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, March, 2012) "While reading this book, the origin-of-life professional will recognize its useful organization and summary of various components of astrobiology. ... I found this book instructive and mind-opening. ... The author is very successful in conveying that much can be gained in astrobiology by merging science with philosophy." (Radu Popa, Astrobiology, Vol. 12 (10), 2012)

• Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Recommendations to the readersIntroduction: The cultural and scientific context of astrobiology.- The Book of life.- Part 1: The Origin of Life in the Universe.- Part 2: The Evolution of Life in the Universe.- Part 3: The Distribution of Life in the Universe.- Part 4: The Destiny of Life in the UniverseEpilogue: Learning to read the Book of Life: An interdisciplinary process; Acronyms and abbreviations.- Illustrated glossary; General index.- Index of illustrations.- Index of Tables.- Alphabetical index.- About the author.- Books by the author.

From the reviews: "Chela-Flores (Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy) supplies up-to-date reviews of the astronomy (so viewers will know where to aim telescopes), a survey of early life on Earth ... and a survey of solar system candidates. ... Overall, a good volume to have on one's library shelf and to function as a required reference in astrobiology courses. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic, general, and professional audiences." (K. L. Schick, Choice, Vol. 49 (6), February, 2012) "I strongly recommend this book, written by a real humanist, to any open-minded reader eager to consider "classical" astrobiology in its philosophical context. The book offers a very rare occasion to access the full dimension of astrobiology: origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the Universe." (Andre Brack, Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, March, 2012) "While reading this book, the origin-of-life professional will recognize its useful organization and summary of various components of astrobiology. ... I found this book instructive and mind-opening. ... The author is very successful in conveying that much can be gained in astrobiology by merging science with philosophy." (Radu Popa, Astrobiology, Vol. 12 (10), 2012)

• Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Recommendations to the readersIntroduction: The cultural and scientific context of astrobiology.- The Book of life.- Part 1: The Origin of Life in the Universe.- Part 2: The Evolution of Life in the Universe.- Part 3: The Distribution of Life in the Universe.- Part 4: The Destiny of Life in the UniverseEpilogue: Learning to read the Book of Life: An interdisciplinary process; Acronyms and abbreviations.- Illustrated glossary; General index.- Index of illustrations.- Index of Tables.- Alphabetical index.- About the author.- Books by the author.

From the reviews: "Chela-Flores (Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Italy) supplies up-to-date reviews of the astronomy (so viewers will know where to aim telescopes), a survey of early life on Earth ... and a survey of solar system candidates. ... Overall, a good volume to have on one's library shelf and to function as a required reference in astrobiology courses. Summing Up: Recommended. All academic, general, and professional audiences." (K. L. Schick, Choice, Vol. 49 (6), February, 2012) "I strongly recommend this book, written by a real humanist, to any open-minded reader eager to consider "classical" astrobiology in its philosophical context. The book offers a very rare occasion to access the full dimension of astrobiology: origin, evolution, distribution and destiny of life in the Universe." (Andre Brack, Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, March, 2012) "While reading this book, the origin-of-life professional will recognize its useful organization and summary of various components of astrobiology. ... I found this book instructive and mind-opening. ... The author is very successful in conveying that much can be gained in astrobiology by merging science with philosophy." (Radu Popa, Astrobiology, Vol. 12 (10), 2012)

• Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Recommendations to the readersIntroduction: The cultural and scientific context of astrobiology.- The Book of life.- Part 1: The Origin of Life in the Universe.- Part 2: The Evolution of Life in the Universe.- Part 3: The Distribution of Life in the Universe.- Part 4: The Destiny of Life in the UniverseEpilogue: Learning to read the Book of Life: An interdisciplinary process; Acronyms and abbreviations.- Illustrated glossary; General index.- Index of illustrations.- Index of Tables.- Alphabetical index.- About the author.- Books by the author.