Probing the depths of science and faith, scientist Chet Raymo investigates the mysteries of human spirituality and meaning contained in astronomy. Ranging through the stars and the myths humans have told about them for millennia, Raymo delves into “a pilgrimage in quest of the soul of the night.” Chet Raymo’s elegant essays link the mysterious phenomena of the night sky with the human mind and spirit, as he ranges through the realms of mythology, literature, religion, history, and anthropology. Originally published two decades ago, The Soul of the Night is a classic work that is a must for those interested in the relationship between science and faith.

"Fascinating information about astronomy and . . . cosmology. . . . An attractive and informative backdrop for stargazing." - The New York Times

"Poised between poetry and physics, faith and reason, Raymo turns out beautifully written essays in a style somewhere between Loren Eiseley and Lewis Thomas. He ponders the science of the galaxies. He ties microcosm to macrocosm, moving from a red-winged blackbird to a quasar seen through a back yard telescope." - Publishers Weekly