We may never know when the actual end of the world is upon us, but that doesn't mean we can't freak out about the end times. Spanning centuries, cultures, and continents, the more than 80 doomsday scenarios featured in A History of the End of the World examine humanity's tendency to envision the end of itself, and everything else in the universe. With offerings pulled from religion and mythology, science, literature, and conspiracy theories, the range of stories is fascinating, illuminating, and frequently strange. But whether they issue from an ancient text or a pulp sci-fi novel, each of these apocalyptic visions will resonate, and remain at the backs of our minds, making us a little bit excited, and a little bit anxious, keeping us awake as we lay in bed, wondering what we're moving toward. Book jacket.