The Cosmic Connection Author: Jeff Kanipe Publisher: Prometheus Books ISBN: 0978-1-59102-667-9 Price: £23.50 (Hb), 296pp
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This book gives a vivid account of the many ways in which human life might suddenly become extinct as a result of its dependence on natural phenomena. It would however perhaps be unwise to become too concerned by the apparent dangers for there are really too many to worry about, particularly as the consequences of human behaviour represent a much greater probability of individual disaster. Cosmic events, although they may appear to be common and often extremely violent, are nevertheless well separated in both space and time by comparison with the whole tenure of human life on this planet.

I have the impression that the author enjoyed writing this book and I have certainly enjoyed reading it and will spend some time digesting its contents. I have no doubt that a great deal of document research was involved in its compilation and this must have helped considerably with the flow of the narrative, which begins with the Earth–Moon complex, proceeds to the Solar System, to stars in general, via the Galaxy to the rest of the Universe and follows with some philosophical considerations that include the Anthropic Principle.

I suppose it is inevitable that, as even the professional astronomers do, other writers on astronomical subjects are inclined to introduce examples of speculation that are difficult to resist and they do add something to the text on a subject of this kind. The author provides a few of these in relation to the possibility of other advanced civilisations, including the well-known Drake equation and even refers to the effect that the discovery of ET might have on those who are devout religious believers, a debate from which I shall excuse myself.

The book is well presented, the text is clear, and whilst not agreeing with every word, I find myself approving of it.

Bill Barlow