"UK astronomer royal Martin Rees faces the future as scientist, citizen and 'worried member of the human species'. His bold, beautifully synthesized primer paces from human-driven challenges such as climate change to dizzying astronomical discoveries within and beyond the Solar System. . . A clarion call for global, rational, long-term thinking."鈥擝arbara Kiser, Nature
"A remarkable book not only because of the subject鈥攖he prospects of humanity鈥攂ut because it is so reasonable. . . . Rees largely manages to steer clear of both fear mongering and cheerleading. The question of how we should deal with new technology has no easy answer, and the author doesn鈥檛 pretend that it does. Instead, in each case he lays out the important points to consider."鈥擲abine Hossenfelder, Wall Street Journal
"Fortunately for Rees, the symptoms of his anxiety appear to be an exceptionally clear head and a capable grasp of the big picture. His sense of cosmic wonder shines through brilliantly in the book鈥檚 later chapters. Explanations of complex subjects like the Large Hadron Collider and the ongoing search for exoplanets benefit from his crisp, precise prose. . . . Rees is a seasoned science communicator, and in so far as his job is to get more and more people interested in the field, the book鈥檚 short length and approachable style is a shrewd move that will open a wormhole to the big questions for the curious."鈥擫ouie Conway, Vanity Fair
"When politics seems impossible, it is sometimes good to take the long view. Astronomer Martin Rees鈥檚 On the Future offers a cosmological perspective on the present state of the world. Brexit seems a bit less all-or-nothing when set against the prospect of post-human space travel."鈥擠avid Runciman, The Guardian
"[Hawking and Rees] offer brisk, lucid peeks into the future of science and of humanity. They evince a profound faith in science鈥檚 power to demystify nature and bend it to our ends."鈥擩ohn Horgan, Wall Street Journal
"[On the Future] offers forecasts of impending technological developments and words of hope for the human ability to use science to repair a wounded planet and improve lives. . . . This far-ranging but easily understood collection of ideas shares and communicates the enthusiasm of Rees鈥檚 鈥榯echno-optimist鈥� view of the prospects for humanity."鈥�Publishers Weekly
"Short in extent but wide in range: from redesigning genes, through the likelihood of human-induced climate change, to the possibility of encounters with alien intelligence in the Universe. [On the Future]鈥檚 overall theme is that Earth鈥檚 growing population will flourish only if science and technology are deployed with 鈥榳isdom.鈥�"鈥擜ndrew Robinson, Science
"Rees neatly packages his sprawling subject matter into a guidebook for the responsible use of science to build a healthy and equitable future for humanity."鈥擠aniel Ackerman, Scientific American
"Rees is hardly the first to issue a stern warning about what lies ahead if complacency and consumerism rule, but his lucid, well-reasoned explanation of the stakes and inimitable prose lift this manifesto above the rest. An impassioned call to action from one of the world's foremost scientists. A book to be read by anyone on Earth who cares about its future."鈥�Kirkus, starred review
"It is hard not to be fascinated as [Rees] builds his Eeyorish case 鈥� which is laid out with the dispassionate air of a superintelligent alien anthropologist observing our species鈥� eccentricities from afar. . . . [A] lucid and engaging book."鈥擳om Whipple, The Times
"Lord Martin Rees manages weighty, often scary, matters with an eminently accessible lightness of touch in On the Future: Prospects for Humanity. . . . [A] short, crisply written new book."鈥擩ohn Cornwell, Financial Times
"This slim volume, written in Rees鈥檚 characteristically elegant style, will frighten and inspire 鈥� and above all, entertain."鈥擟live Cookson, Financial Times
"If you鈥檙e worried about the prospects for the human race, try Martin Rees鈥檚 On the Future for a sober, level-headed assessment."鈥擩ohn Naughton, The Observer
"The importance of science in society has no greater spokesperson than Lord Martin Rees."鈥�The Economist
"By no means merely a happiness pill, Martin Rees's On the Future: Prospects for Humanity nonetheless encourages the reader to think beyond the new norms of diminished and collapsing expectations. . . . This is less a book than a set of goggles that provides the reader a glimpse of a wider spectrum of possibility than would otherwise be visible."鈥擲cott McLemee, Inside Higher Education
"Rees is clear-sighted and pithy. . . . His account of the planets and exoplanets on which we might one day descend feels thrillingly real. . . . Wonderfully optimistic."鈥擩ames McConnachie, Sunday Times
"Rees shows us an optimistic yet realistic way of contemplating the what is to come, as long as we broaden our thinking and realise that we鈥檙e all on this crowded planet together."鈥擲andra Kropa, BBC Sky at Night Magazine
"It would be easy for a book about the future to turn gloomy, but this one balances concerns with hopeful prospects."鈥�Foreword Reviews
"[An] eloquent book."鈥擩ohn Thornhill, Financial Times
"Rees dispenses his apocalyptic overview of the coming decades like cocktail party wisdom. The author, who moves in elevated circles and has the papal ear, is an affable doom merchant."鈥擜njana Ahuja, New Statesman
"An overview of the great science-based possibilities for mankind, as well as an expert鈥檚 gentle warning against what will happen to life on earth if we continue to form our thinking around short-term goals."鈥擱ozalind Dineen, Times Literary Supplement
"With the authority that only someone of his calibre could command, Martin Rees presents his vision of the future of mankind."鈥�Nature Astronomy
"This little gem is divided into four beautifully-crafted chapters providing broad perspective, personal anecdotes, some seldom-mined historical background, strong scientific emphasis, and hope."鈥擝ruce L. Dietrich, Planetarian
"In [On the Future], Rees turns his focus closer to home, examining the existential threats that face humanity over the next century. From cyberattacks to advances in biotechnology to artificial intelligence to climate change, Rees, Britain's astronomer royal, says we are living at a critical juncture 鈥� one that could define how the human species fares."鈥擠enise Chow, NBC News MACH
"[On the Future] shrewdly weighs up our chances of survival."鈥擜ndy Martin, Belfast Telegraph
"A rallying call for the sort of rational thinking that seems to have become unpopular in recent years. . . . A short, but persuasive, book."鈥擠ominic Lenton, Engineering & Technology
"A really important book."鈥擠avid Runciman, Talking Politics podcast
"Overall, this is a wise and humane overview of the challenges we all face, with much practical guidance about how best to tackle these in terms of responsible scientific and technological innocation related to deeper human values."鈥擠avid Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer
"Lord Rees is the source on all things future-of-humanity."鈥�Mayday
"[A] condensed masterpiece of analysis and observation."鈥擩onathan Power, New York Journal of Books
"Reading On the Future will equip the reader with the means to challenge their representatives to lift their eyes above the daily grind of politics and set their sights on a brighter future which humanity can enjoy if the correct decisions are made in respect of the development and application of science and technology."鈥擪. Alan Shore, Contemporary Physics
"I found reading Rees鈥檚 ideas here rewarding. I also learned a lot from this book. . . as such, I am very positive about this book and I think that all ethicists should read it."鈥擶outer Kalf, Ethical Perspectives
"On the Future, by a leading senior scientist and written in a charming and crystalline style, provides the kind of wisdom humanity most needs to make our way on through the twenty-first century."鈥擡dward O. Wilson, professor emeritus, Harvard University
鈥淐urious about the future? Here, one of the world鈥檚 most eminent scientists takes you through what will happen and why. On the Future is excellent!鈥濃�擡ric Schmidt, former executive chairman of Google
鈥淔rom climate change to biotech to artificial intelligence, science sits at the center of nearly all decisions that civilization confronts to assure its own survival. Martin Rees has created a primer on these issues, and what we can do about them, so that the next generation will think of us not as reckless custodians of their inheritance, but as brilliant shepherds of their birthright.鈥濃�擭eil deGrasse Tyson, coauthor of Welcome to the Universe
"Martin Rees offers a compelling vision of our future鈥攐n Earth and in space."鈥擡lon Musk, founder, CEO, and CTO of SpaceX and cofounder and CEO of Tesla Motors
鈥淧rophecy may be a lost art, but I can think of no better way to envision what lies ahead than this book鈥攁 multidimensional meditation by one of our most distinguished and wise scientific minds on where we are headed and what we can do to right the ship of our civilization. In a time when it is hard to find a dream of the future that is not dystopian, Martin Rees sees and writes with rigor, clarity, and hope.鈥濃�擜nn Druyan, writer, producer, and director of Cosmos
"In clear and simple prose, Martin Rees lays bare the catastrophic dangers now facing humanity: nuclear, biotech, cyber, and climate. Modern science, he says, created these dangers but still provides the only path forward. A real wake-up call."鈥擩erry Brown, governor of California
鈥�On the Future is a very important book that should be widely read and acted upon. Martin Rees combines his deep scientific insights and compassion for humanity鈥檚 welfare to address, in clear and elegant prose, the major issues facing human civilization today, some of which are not now commonly considered. Whether or not you agree with all the points he makes, you must take them very seriously indeed.鈥濃�擱oger Penrose, author of Fashion, Faith, and Fantasy in the New Physics of the Universe
"An engaging analysis of the most important issues facing the world, sprinkled with insight and suffused with wisdom and humanity."鈥擲teven Pinker, author of Enlightenment Now
鈥淎re we heading for a utopian or dystopian future? Martin Rees believes it鈥檚 down to us. But the one thing we must not do is put the brakes on technology. Science, applied wisely, offers humanity a bright future, but we must act now. In this visionary book, and despite his many fears, Rees adopts a refreshing and cautiously optimistic tone.鈥濃�擩im Al-Khalili, author of Paradox: The Nine Greatest Enigmas in Physics
鈥淎 breathtaking journey through thrilling advances in science and technology that may address society鈥檚 most vexing challenges, On the Future is ideal reading for all citizens of the twenty-first century."鈥擬arcia K. McNutt, president of the National Academy of Sciences
"What if we got one of the smartest people alive to figure the odds on how we might be able to survive our ability to do ourselves in? We have that person in Martin Rees, and his thoughtful answers in this book."鈥擜lan Alda
鈥淎s Yogi Berra said, 鈥業t鈥檚 tough to make predictions, especially about the future.鈥� But in this readable and thought-provoking book, Martin Rees shows the challenges we and our planet face鈥攁nd why scientists need to engage citizens in the choices that are made.鈥濃�擲hirley M. Malcom, director of education and human resources programs at the American Association for the Advancement of Science
鈥淔or anyone who wants to consider the choices we have in our future and the implications of those choices, this is the book to read. Rees is a clear thinker and graceful writer, and he expresses an encouraging optimism about the future, if we can avoid some of our current species-limiting behaviors. Rees鈥檚 projections are grounded in today鈥檚 scientific knowledge and a scientist鈥檚 sense of probability and presented with a deep sense of humility.鈥濃�擱ush D. Holt, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and former U.S. Representative from New Jersey
鈥�On the Future is a delightful intellectual treat and a must-read for everyone on Earth鈥攁nd beyond, if aliens exist. With wisdom and originality, Martin Rees, our most accomplished living astronomer, addresses the most important of subjects鈥攖he future of humanity and the scientific advances and risks it brings. His deep personal insights are unique and exciting and his many anecdotes are enjoyable. I couldn鈥檛 put it down.鈥濃�擜braham Loeb, Harvard University
鈥淚n this outstanding book, the always brilliant Martin Rees addresses the key problems of our day, putting humanity鈥檚 perils and prospects in perspective鈥攆rom climate change, to the future of artificial intelligence, to the threat of bioterrorism, to the chance for future space adventurers to spread out into the universe. Rees is one of the deepest and clearest thinkers on these subjects, and his book sparkles with gems of insight and humor.鈥濃�擩. Richard Gott, coauthor of Welcome to the Universe
鈥淚n this short and mighty book, Rees grapples with the exhilarating promise and frightening possibilities of today鈥檚 vast scientific advancements, situating himself somewhere between the techno-optimists and dystopian naysayers. On the Future provides tremendous insight into science鈥檚 great expanse and beseeches us all to get involved and advocate for long-term policies that will keep future generations safe. The future of humanity and the planet rests in our hands.鈥濃�擱achel Bronson, president and CEO of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
鈥�On the Future will captivate readers. Martin Rees stands at the top of our informed thinkers about futurology.鈥濃�擯edro G. Ferreira, author of The Perfect Theory: A Century of Geniuses and the Battle over General Relativity
"This inspiring and thought-provoking book by one of the world's leading scientists and visionaries is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of humanity."鈥擬ax Tegmark, author of Life 3.0: Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
鈥淥ur planet is in peril鈥攁nd humanity needs huge doses of wisdom to save it. Fortunately, one man, Martin Rees, can provide it. This book is a must-read for all who care about our planet鈥檚 future.鈥濃�擪ishore Mahbubani, author of Has the West Lost It?
鈥淢artin Rees鈥檚 book is a vital compass to help us navigate the future, an enthralling love letter to knowledge and rationality, and a call to arms for those of us who dare to hope for the best.鈥濃�擠avid Puttnam, film producer and educator
"Martin Rees's On the Future is a template of hope that offers practical scientific, social, and political solutions for avoiding man-made disasters that could devastate our species.鈥濃�擬ichael Wilson, film producer
