"Literature and science have always been strange bedfellows. They ground one another. They dream together. Like puzzle pieces, they fit because they are different. Science finds eloquence in literature. Literature, heeding science, quakes and marvels. Some of the greatest works of world literature embody scientific ideas. Similarly, scientists have written works of the imagination. Even scientific writings have been known to employ rhetoric.".

"This reference defines the rapidly emerging interdisciplinary field of literature and science. An introductory essay traces the history of the field, its growing reputation, and the current state of research. Broad in scope, the volume covers world literature from its beginnings to the present and illuminates the role of science in literature and literary studies. Included are more than 650 alphabetically arranged entries on topics, themes, writers, scientists, works, theories and methodologies.

A wide range of experts contributed entries, each ending with a brief bibliography. The entire volume closes with a list of works for further reading."--BOOK JACKET.