Toomey, David M

Chronicles the experiences of Air Force and Navy pilots in the 1950s who flew into raging storms to gauge their strength and predict their paths, relying on rudimentary radar systems to locate the hurricane's eye and estimate the drift of their aircraft by looking at windblown waves below.

Recounts the mission of Navy Lieutenant Commander Grover Windham and his crew to fly into the eye of Hurricane Janet in September, 1955.

Describes the characteristics of extremophiles, creatures that survive in conditions that are hostile to other forms of life, and explores scientists efforts to study and understand these organisms. Discusses how the study of extremophiles has transformed our view of life and how it is able to develop.

Examines the scientific community's investigations into time travel since the late twentieth century, discussing the work and personalities of such figures as Stephen Hawking, Carl Sagan, and Kip Thorne as well as lesser-known physicists.