I read the book without much grounding in the various branches of science that the author surveys sweepingly. I suspect that I would have enjoyed it less if I did have more grounding, because I might have assumed a more argumentative mind set, quibbling if the specifics are "truly" as the author asserted, instead of being impressed by the optimistic way that the author put forth his philosophy. The philosophy contained numerous tenets, the most accessable one being the convergence of the banches of science. I was especially uplifted by the hopefulness that this convergence would lead to a clearer view about the meaning of these pursuits. In the end, I thought that my enjoyment was not based on the sense of being persuaded by cogent arguments elegantly posed, but by the identification with an overwhelming optimism that science can shed illumination to the meaning and design of life.