... an excellent summary of the frontiers of astronomy and astrophysics, and will surely be required reading for graduate students. Especially good examples are the chapters on supernovae by Alexei Filippenko, and on dark energy by Mark Sullivan. Each chapter is characterized by its comprehensiveness and elegance of presentation. The final part of the volume explores the relationship between astronomy and society in general ... Readers will find this venture into metaphysics and ontology in this section both challenging and rewarding. Highly recommended. -D.E. Hogg, Emeritus, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, CHOICE, May 2012