Originally published in 1957, this book offers a challenging intellectual experience to the reader who wishes to understand the broad historical trends that determine the future of humanity on this planet. The book examines natural laws that govern humanity by looking at communities over long periods of time and noting patterns which become evident. The book includes discussions of communism, the crisis in food and population growth, the significance of industrialism and man and his religious beliefs – all issues that remain as relevant today as when the book was first published.

Fred Hoyle was one of the 20th Century's great scientific thinkers. He was Plumian Professor at Cambridge 1957 – 1972 and founder director of the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy in Cambridge 1967-1972.