This book was initially conceived as a young adult title, meaningit would appeal primarily to readers between the ages of approxi-mately nine and fourteen years old. If you've read the His DarkMaterials trilogy, then you know that the books are "serious"reads for young adults, and let's face it, they're "serious" reads forgrown-ups, as well. The three books--The Golden Compass, TheSubtle Knife, and The Amber Styglass--appeal to mature readersof all ages.

Preface

            PART I

            FRONT MATTER

1. What Is His Dark Materials?

2. Dust, Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and Other

 Celestial Things

    Part 1. Dust

    Part 2. Dark Matter

    Part 3. Dark Energy

3, Angels, God, and Paradise

4. Witches

5. Daemons

6. Parallel Worlds

7. The Afterlife: Hell, Harpies, and Heaven

8. Specters, Vampires, Night Ghasts, and Zombies

            PART 2

            BACK MATTER

9. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

10. Weird Science, Part 1

11. Weird Science. Part 2

Glossary

Bibliography