Authors Mike Seeds and Dana Backman personalize the history of the universe by placing you at the center of the latest chapter in a grand and amazing story. You will learn how we are the latest link in the "great chain of origins. " And, by emphasizing the role of the scientific process, Seeds and Backman will help you also understand how analyzing scientific evidence not only answers the question "How do we know? ," but provide deeper insights into our place in the universe as well. Each new copy of the text comes with access to CengageNOW, an online personalized learning system designed to save you time in studying and to help you prepare for exams through a series of diagnostic tests and personalized study plans.