Whether it's a tsunami or an asteroid, a terrorist attack or a nuclear war, the end of the world is never far away. But just what are the chances of civilisation being destroyed, and which method of meltdown is most likely? The Doomsday Book looks at all of the burgeoning threats to civilisation, explaining the story and the science behind each one, and providing a clear-headed assessment of how serious they are and what can and is likely to be done about them. Covering ecological crises such as water shortages and habitat destruction, the dangers of nanotechnology and superplagues and the cataclysmic effects of a new ice age or being lost in a black hole, Joel Levy's book is scarily engrossing. Examining the fate of ancient civilisations and explaining the lessons they can teach us, The Doomsday Book explores the likelihood of our survival when disaster hits.
Joel Levy's books include A natural History of the Unnatural World, The Unexplained and Really Useful. He lives in London.