The famous science fiction writer, world-famous scientist, great popularizer of science, author of many popular science, fantasy, detective, historical and humorous publications invites you to the world of mysteries of the past, present and future. In this book, Azimov talks about amazing phenomena and facts - known and little-known, discoveries, mistakes and brilliant guesses of scientists. He simply talks about complex things - proteins and DNA, hormones and enzymes, lasers and spaceships, the theory of relativity and the origins of the Universe. What should a Martian be like? What will change in the daily life of an American in 1990? What problems will threaten our planet and civilization in the coming centuries? Is it possible to go back in time? What will the 2014 World Expo look like? Will humanity be able to reach the stars?...He does not believe in aliens in flying saucers, but he suggests what colonies on the Moon will be like, when they will begin to explore Mars, and what the role of science fiction is in all this.