A narrative and visual exploration of humanity’s age-old search for--and fixation with--aliens, from the science to pop culture to UFO sightings. First Contact explores the ancient idea—and epic quest to prove—that we are not alone in the universe. Presented in a heavily illustrated cabinet of curiosities format, the book presents our fascination with aliens from early history to present day, including chapters on alien conspiracy theories, aliens in science fiction, the actual science behind our search for aliens, and what happens if and when they come…or, if we are in fact descended from aliens. Each chapter is filled with bite-sized explainers and longer sections on meatier topics such as habitable zones, xenolinguistics, and UFO religions. Smaller topics will include alien abductions, ancient astronauts, exodinosaurs, Project Cyclops, and the Great Moon Hoax.