“A superior account of how astronomers discovered that they knew almost nothing about 96 percent of the universe…. Panek delivers vivid sketches of scientists, lucid explanations of their work and revealing descriptions of the often stormy rivalry that led to this scientific revolution.” Starred review.

– Kirkus Reviews

"[A] fascinating tale of cosmology's known unknowns."

– BBC Focus

"Impeccably researched and highly readable."

– New Scientist

"Panek provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of science in the raw as alliances are forged and friendships strained. There is a new universe to explore..."

– The Times

"The 4% Universe is a compelling narrative of science at its best… An illuminating guide to the dark mysteries lying at the heart of the intersection of astronomy and fundamental physics."

– The Wall Street Journal

"Fascinating… Panek's passion for the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy wins the day."

– Washington Post

"Richard Panek delights us with [a] mesmerizing tale…. This book has it all; the excitement of great fiction — only it's true."

– Philadelphia Enquirer

"A compelling narrative of a quest full of technological challenges, unexpected turns and expected human rivalries over high stakes."

– Dallas Morning News

"Lively… [Panek] Is a wondrously clear explicator."

– Salon

"A rich portrait of modern scientific life."

– The Guardian

"Easily digestible, fast-paced... To the connoisseur of popular science, indeed, the way author Richard Panek tells the tale is as interesting as the events: half drama, half detective story."

– Physics World

“Reads… like an adventure novel…. Panek has craftily combined his lucid and accessible descriptions of science with thepersonal, often intimate story of those unlocking the finer details of the Universe.”

– BBC Sky at Night

“Richard Panek’s new book shows that the story of how discoveries are made is just as exciting as the discoveries themselves…. [The 4% Universe] inspires and awes in equal measure.”

– Astronomy Now

“The 4-Percent Universe is a lively and well-researched account of the personalities and ambitions of modern scientists.”

– Alan Lightman - author of Einstein’s Dreams

"A compelling story of research at the cutting edge of science, with all the personalities and politics that the textbooks leave out."

– Chad Orzel

"Richard Panek has written a contemporary adventure story of modern-day explorers who venture forth into the universe not by ships, but by telescopes and satellites. Like adventure stories of old, there are visionaries, heroes, patrons, and, perhaps, a few pirates. A riveting book."

– Lee Smolin - Author of The Trouble of Physics

“Modern cosmology tackles some of the biggest questions we have about the nature of the cosmos. In The 4-Percent Universe, Richard Panek brings this quest down to a human scale. The rivalries, the surprises, and the excitement are brought vividly to life. People are a very tiny percentage of the universe, but we remain the most interesting part.”

– Sean Carroll

“Somebody needed to tell this story—of all that is dark and mysterious in the cosmos. Science writer Richard Panek has risen to that task. He artfully guides you through the quirky discoveries that established the existence of dark matter and dark energy. But along the way, you also get to meet the quirky cosmologists who got us there.”

– Neil deGrasse Tyson - Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of

“The 4-Percent Universe is a reliable and readable account of how scientists discovered—and are struggling to come to grips with—the astounding fact that most of the observable universe has not yet even been observed, much less understood. It has the further merit of relating how scientists arrive at their findings, rather than simply presenting their theories as objects of admiration or adoration. Highly recommended.”

– Timothy Ferris - author of Coming of Age in the Milky Way and Emeritus Professor at the University o

"Richard Panek turns astronomers and physicists into real (and sometimes likeable) characters. You can feel the tension as two rival groups race to discover the fate of the universe. We see scientists as real people, warts and all. Panek turns potentially baffling science into a tense story of rivalry and discovery."

– Brian Clegg - author of Inflight Science and The Universe Inside You