In Magnificent, Rational, Strange, you will take a voyage of discovery to explore the entire universe as we know it today. Notice its magnificent rationality, its deep complexity, and some of the paradoxes seemingly built into it. Ponder the strangeness of time and of vast numbers, black holes, Big Bangs, and quantum dimensions. What are our human origins? Are we alone in our mysterious uniqueness? Or are we part of a natural pattern characteristic of this universe? The human voyage continues, but travel back first, to celebrate life, how it emerged and how it works. Examine the ancient roots of humankind and our journey thus far. Circle back to the biochemical underpinnings of human understanding. Where will this voyage take us now? Ian Breckenridge, a layman, has for many years been immersed in the indescribable wonder of our universe. In a single compact volume, this book manages to raise quite a few deep questions.