These first stars...have never been seen, and Chapman's new book, First Light: Switching on Stars at the Dawn of Time, does a great job explaining why they've proved so elusive. But don't worry if you can't recall your high school astrophysics; Chapman is a sure-footed and entertaining guide.

First Light, a thoroughly engaging tale that allows us to see science in the making, chronicles current attempts to reveal this hidden era—what we know and what we don’t know. Ms. Chapman herself is in the thick of this endeavor and serves as a wonderful guide, whose voice is reminiscent of Carl Sagan’s , although with an extra and very welcome dollop of impish humor. I know of no other astronomy book that includes references to Doctor Who, Tutankhamen and cyanobacteria in its metaphors and analogies. From page to page, you get caught up in her excitement.

The text can get pretty technical at times, but Chapman employs a conversational tone and sprinkles in stories and wry observations that will keep readers entertained.

Clearly fascinated by her subject, Chapman works diligently to describe the early universe, gradually introducing information about the life cycles of stars and techniques astrophysicists use to search for them. Her careful step-by-step explanations delve far deeper than a NOVA documentary, so readers must pay attention, but most will find it worth the effort. Good astrophysics for committed readers..

... a spirited history of the early universe.