★ In the vast cosmos, are we alone? For centuries astronomers, physicists, biologists, philosophers, poets—even politicians—have dreamed of finding intelligences among the stars and asked what those beings might be like and how we would meet them.
★ From ancient philosophical speculation to the modern astrobiologist’s view of life in the universe, this book traces the evolution of humanity’s ideas about extraterrestrial life and presents a sweeping panorama of shifting perspectives.
★ We have not yet encountered aliens, yet all our conjectures and fantasies about them live in these pages. Interdisciplinary and engrossing, the book invites us to rethink what alien life means for our self-understanding and sparks an enduring curiosity to search for other minds.
★ A unique fusion of scientific exploration and philosophical reflection, it enriches our grasp of life’s possibilities while celebrating humanity’s timeless urge to explore the cosmos.
★ Written by space-flight historian Anton Pervushin—full member of the Russian Space Federation and recipient of the Order of the Knights of Science Fiction—whose works have been translated into English, German, Polish, Bulgarian and more.
★ Perfect for anyone fascinated by astronomy, biology, philosophy or science-fiction; it satisfies professional curiosity and stirs wonder in the casual reader alike.

For centuries dreamers—astronomers, physicists, biologists, philosophers, poets and even politicians—have imagined what inhabitants of other worlds might be like and how we would meet them. This profound and captivating volume tells the story of how humanity has pictured aliens. Here is a vast canvas tracing our shifting views of hypothetical beings on other worlds, from the musings of ancient thinkers to the concepts of modern astrobiologists.

Why did ancient philosophers deem the cosmos alive? Why did Kant claim that humans were inferior to Martians? How did H. G. Wells teach us to fear Martians? Did aliens visit Earth in antiquity? Was life brought here from space? How do we search for life on exoplanets—and when will the “Galactic Club” admit us? Blending rigorous science with philosophical inquiry, the book deepens our understanding of what extraterrestrial life could be while reflecting our unending curiosity and drive to explore.

Anton Pervushin (1970) is a Russian science-fiction writer, popular-science author and historian of space exploration. He is a full member of the Russian Space Federation, the St. Petersburg Union of Scientists, the St. Petersburg Writers’ Union, the Science Journalists’ Club, the Russian Futurists’ Association and founder of the “Renaissance of Science Fiction” group. Since 2010 he has contributed regular columns on science topics to the magazine Fantasy World and has published numerous science-fiction novels and non-fiction works translated into Ukrainian, Polish, Bulgarian, German, English and Chinese.

Science-fiction works include Operation “Herostratus” (1997), Monday War (1998), Peacemaker (1999), The Fragment Collector (1999, co-authored with Nikolai Bolshakov), Stranger in Pelusidare (2004), Stars (2007), the short-story collection “Storm” at the Zenith (2008) and the four-volume 21st-Century Pirates (2000-2008).

Non-fiction focuses on space-flight history and links between totalitarian regimes and occult doctrines, producing documentaries and books such as NKVD and SS: Secret Mysteries (1999), NKVD and SS: Secret Wars (2003), Hitler’s Astronauts (2004), Star Wars, two volumes (2004), Planet Wars: USA vs. Soviet Empire (2005), Stalin’s Astronauts (2005), Red Cosmos (2006), The Conquest of Mars (2006), Moon Wars (2007), 108 Minutes that Changed the World (2011), The Third Reich’s Secret Missions (2012), The Last Cosmic Chance (2015), Yuri Gagarin: One Flight, One Life (2017), Cosmic Myths (2019) and Twelve Myths about Soviet Science Fiction (2019, 2024).

Pervushin’s works have inspired documentaries such as Possessed by the Devil: Secrets of the Third Reich (2006), Secret Signs, The Other Cinema: Cosmic Exploration (TV-3, 17-part series) and Open Cosmos (Channel One, 2011). He lectures regularly at the Lobachevsky Science Park and serves as scriptwriter and chief consultant for numerous TV projects.

Literary Awards
• Inter-bridge Award (1999, 2007)
• Eurocon Encouragement Award (2000)
• Alexander Belyaev Award (2002, 2004)
• St. Petersburg Writers’ Union Prize (2005)
• A. & B. Strugatsky International Literary Prize (2007)
• Alexander Grin “Golden Chain” Award (2008)
• Interpresscon Award (2009)
• Ivan Yefremov Award (2009)
• Enlightener Prize finalist (2011)
• RosCon Award (2010, 2013)
• Arkady & Boris Strugatsky International Literary Prize (2023)

Honor
In 2011 he was awarded the Order of the Knights of Science Fiction.