What determines whether complex life will arise on a planet, or even any life at all? What conditions are necessary for the emergence of intelligence? This groundbreaking book is the first to synthesize information from astronomy, biology, and paleontology, to apply what we know about the rise of life on Earth to what could possibly happen elsewhere in the Universe. Everyone who has been thrilled by the recent discoveries of extrasolar planets and the indications of life on Mars and the Jovian moon Europa will be fascinated by RARE EARTH, and its implications for those who look to the heavens for companionship. "...likely to cause a revolution in thinking..."The New York Times "...[the book] has hit the world of astrobiologists like a killer asteroid..."Newsday (New York) "...a sobering and valuable perspective..."Science "...a startling new hypothesis..."Library Journal "...Peter Ward and Donald Brownlee offer a powerful argument..."The Economist"...provocative, significant, and sweeping..."Northwest Science & Technology "...a stellar example of clear writing..."American Scientist