For most of human history, we have led not just an earthly existence but also a cosmic one. Jo Marchant (author of the New York Times bestseller Cure) argues that our innate relationship with the stars has shaped our religious beliefs, power structures, scientific advances and even our biology. However, over the last few centuries we have separated ourselves from the universe surrounding us, and that has come at a cost.

Has our modern disconnect with the night sky led to a wider ambivalence toward the wildlife around us? Can stargazing benefit our mental health and encourage us to behave more ethically? Marchant discusses humanity’s relationship with the heavens and explores the crucial role it has played in making us who we are today. She encourages us to rediscover the potential of the universe we inhabit, its wonder and potential for inspiration and revelation.

The Human Cosmos is published by Canongate. Buy a copy from our bookseller partner Waterstones.

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Festival of Ideas: Jo Marchant, The Human Cosmos: A Secret History of the Stars