Reshaping the World is a nuanced exploration of the plurality, complexity, and adaptability of Precolumbian and colonial-era Mesoamerican cosmological models and the ways in which anthropologists and historians have used colonial and indigenous texts to understand these models in the past. Since the early twentieth century, it has been popularly accepted that the Precolumbian Mesoamerican cosmological model comprised nine fixed layers of underworld and thirteen fixed layers of heavens. This layered model, which bears a close structural resemblance to a number of Eurasian cosmological models, derived in large part from scholars’ reliance on colonial texts, such as the post–Spanish Conquest Codex Vaticanus A and Florentine Codex. By reanalyzing and recontextualizing both indigenous and colonial texts and imagery in nine case studies examining Maya, Zapotec, Nahua, and Huichol cultures, the contributors discuss and challenge the commonly accepted notion that the cosmos was a static structure of superimposed levels unrelated to and unaffected by historical events and human actions. Instead, Mesoamerican cosmology consisted of a multitude of cosmographic repertoires that operated simultaneously as a result of historical circumstances and regional variations. These spaces were, and are, dynamic elements shaped, defined, and redefined throughout the course of human history. Indigenous cosmographies could be subdivided and organized in complex and diverse arrangements—as components in a dynamic interplay, which cannot be adequately understood if the cosmological discourse is reduced to a superposition of nine and thirteen levels. Unlike previous studies, which focus on the reconstruction of a pan-Mesoamerican cosmological model, Reshaping the World shows how the movement of people, ideas, and objects in New Spain and neighboring regions produced a deep reconfiguration of Prehispanic cosmological and social structures, enriching them with new conceptions of space and time. The volume exposes the reciprocal influences of Mesoamerican and European theologies during the colonial era, offering expansive new ways of understanding Mesoamerican models of the cosmos. Contributors: Sergio Botta, Ana Díaz, Kerry Hull, Katarzyna Mikulska, Johannes Neurath, Jesper Nielsen, Toke Sellner Reunert†, David Tavárez, Alexander Tokovinine, Gabrielle Vail

The first single-volume study of an important Lewis novel C. S. Lewis considered his novel Perelandra (1943) among his best works. A triumph of imaginative science fiction, Perelandra--the second volume of Lewis's "Space Trilogy"--is also theologically ambitious. C. S. Lewis's Perelandra: Reshaping the Image of the Cosmos explores how the novel synthesizes the three traditions of cosmology, mythology, and Christianity. The first group of essays considers the cosmological implications of the world Lewis depicts in Perelandra while the second group examines the relationship between morality and meaning in Lewis's created cosmology of the planet Perelandra. This work brings together a world-class group of literary and theological scholars and Lewis specialists that includes Paul S. Fiddes, Monika B. Hilder, Sanford Schwartz, Michael Travers, and Michael Ward. The collection is enhanced by Walter Hooper's reminiscences of his conversations with Lewis about Perelandra and the possible provenance of the stories in Lewis's imagination. C. S. Lewis scholars and devoted readers alike will find this volume indispensible to the understanding of this canonical work of speculative fiction.

The historic quest to rekindle the human exploration and colonization of space led by two rivals and their vast fortunes, egos, and visions of space as the next entrepreneurial frontier The Space Barons is the story of a group of billionaire entrepreneurs who are pouring their fortunes into the epic resurrection of the American space program. Nearly a half-century after Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, these Space Barons-most notably Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, along with Richard Branson and Paul Allen-are using Silicon Valley-style innovation to dramatically lower the cost of space travel, and send humans even further than NASA has gone. These entrepreneurs have founded some of the biggest brands in the world-Amazon, Microsoft, Virgin, Tesla, PayPal-and upended industry after industry. Now they are pursuing the biggest disruption of all: space. Based on years of reporting and exclusive interviews with all four billionaires, this authoritative account is a dramatic tale of risk and high adventure, the birth of a new Space Age, fueled by some of the world's richest men as they struggle to end governments' monopoly on the cosmos. The Space Barons is also a story of rivalry-hard-charging startups warring with established contractors, and the personal clashes of the leaders of this new space movement, particularly Musk and Bezos, as they aim for the moon and Mars and beyond.

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, humanity has embarked on an extraordinary journey—a quest to unravel the mysteries that lie beyond the stars, to understand the fabric of the universe, and to glimpse the secrets that have shaped our existence. This journey, driven by unquenchable curiosity and a relentless thirst for knowledge, has led us to explore the fundamental building blocks of reality, from the moment of the Big Bang to the enigmatic depths of black holes and the cosmic dance of dark matter and dark energy. In this book, "Secrets of the Cosmos: Origins, Structure, and Future of the Universe," we embark on an exploration that transcends the boundaries of time and space. We delve into the heart of the universe, where the echoes of the Big Bang reverberate through the cosmic tapestry, and where the gravitational embrace of black holes defies the conventional rules of physics. We traverse the intricate web of spacetime, where the fabric of reality bends and warps in the presence of massive celestial bodies, revealing the elegant dance of gravitational forces. Through each chapter, we encounter the brilliant minds who have illuminated our path—visionaries like Galileo Galilei, Albert Einstein, Edwin Hubble, and Stephen Hawking—who have reshaped our understanding of the cosmos and left an indelible mark on the annals of scientific inquiry. From the philosophical underpinnings of the universe's meaning to the harmonious interplay between science and spirituality, we contemplate the cosmic narrative that unfolds before us. As we navigate the pages of this book, we invite you to embark on a journey of discovery—a journey that traverses epochs of time, that spans the infinite depths of space, and that sparks a sense of wonder in the face of the unknown. From the fiery birth of stars to the icy expanse of the universe's future, we unravel the threads that weave the cosmic fabric, bringing to light the awe-inspiring symphony of existence. Whether you are a seasoned explorer of the cosmos or embarking on this journey for the first time, we welcome you to join us in this exploration of the universe's mysteries. Let us venture together, fueled by curiosity, guided by knowledge, and inspired by the infinite possibilities that the cosmos offers. For it is through our shared exploration that we inch closer to understanding the enigmas that have captivated the human spirit for eons. So, let us turn the page and embark on this cosmic odyssey, for the universe beckons us to seek knowledge, to embrace wonder, and to forever be in awe of the boundless mysteries that await us among the stars. Welcome to "Secrets of the Cosmos: Origins, Structure, and Future of the Universe."

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From one of the world’s leading physicists and author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist The Elegant Universe, comes “an astonishing ride” through the universe (The New York Times) that makes us look at reality in a completely different way. Space and time form the very fabric of the cosmos. Yet they remain among the most mysterious of concepts. Is space an entity? Why does time have a direction? Could the universe exist without space and time? Can we travel to the past? Greene has set himself a daunting task: to explain non-intuitive, mathematical concepts like String Theory, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and Inflationary Cosmology with analogies drawn from common experience. From Newton’s unchanging realm in which space and time are absolute, to Einstein’s fluid conception of spacetime, to quantum mechanics’ entangled arena where vastly distant objects can instantaneously coordinate their behavior, Greene takes us all, regardless of our scientific backgrounds, on an irresistible and revelatory journey to the new layers of reality that modern physics has discovered lying just beneath the surface of our everyday world.

"Cosmic Chronicles: Journeys Beyond the Stars" unveils a tapestry of interconnected science fiction and fantasy stories, each a gateway to the infinite stories of the universe and the elusive boundaries of reality. This collection embarks on a fantastical journey into space, inviting readers to explore the cosmic wonders and embark on a space exploration fantasy like no other. Through a series of captivating narratives, this anthology traverses the vastness of the cosmos, unveiling the marvels and mysteries that dwell in the furthest reaches of space and beyond. At the core of these tales lies the Astral Gateway, a beacon of cosmic wonder, guiding readers through a cosmic odyssey that defies imagination. It stands as a testament to the boundless curiosity and ambition that propel humanity-and other beings-across the uncharted territories of the galaxy. Each story in "Cosmic Chronicles: Journeys Beyond the Stars" weaves a unique thread in the grand tapestry of the cosmos, exploring the interconnectedness of the universe, the wonders that lie in the void, and the fantastical realms that exist just beyond the limits of our understanding. As adventurers of the mind and spirit, readers are invited to step through this portal of imagination, embarking on an odyssey that spans the spectrum of the human experience within the cosmic theatre. From ancient civilizations that whisper secrets of the universe, to enigmatic forces that shape the fabric of reality, each narrative unfurls the mysteries of the cosmos, inviting a deeper contemplation of what lies beyond. This collection is not just an assemblage of stories; it is an odyssey-a cosmic odyssey-that challenges the very notion of what is possible. Through the eyes of astronomers, explorers, and dreamers, we set sail on a fantastical journey into space, navigating the cosmic wonders that stretch across the celestial canvas of the universe. "Cosmic Chronicles: Journeys Beyond the Stars" is an ode to the spirit of discovery, a celebration of the interconnected science fiction and fantasy stories that dare to explore the final frontier and the infinite possibilities that await.