A wide-ranging survey of predictions about the future development and impact of science and technology through the twentieth century.

Peter J. Bowler is Emeritus Professor of the History of Science at Queen's University Belfast. He is a Fellow of the British Academy, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has published a number of books on the history of biology and several general surveys.

1. Introduction: progress or threat?; 2. The prophets: their backgrounds and ambitions; 3. How we'll live; 4. Where we'll live; 5. Communicating and computing; 6. Getting around; 7. Taking to the air; 8. Journey into space; 9. War; 10. Energy and environment; 11. Human nature; 12. Epilogue: Plus ça change?