“Profound, powerful, and poetic. Preparing for Nothingness is Lightman’s most innovative and mind-opening work since his extraordinary Einstein’s Dreams.”—Roman Krznaric, author of The Good Ancestor and History for Tomorrow

“The questions of how to live a good life, to have a peaceful death, and whether there is life after death have haunted thoughtful people. In this insightful and highly accessible book, Alan Lightman presents six divergent views, three by agnostic scholars and three by believing thinkers, in the context of one man’s search for meaning. This book is an excellent companion for people of all ages.”—Peter C. Phan, Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University”

“Lightman has given us a novel both ambitious and literary. The structure of his story allows him to talk about our universal concern, that of mortality, from many different points of view. This novel encourages us, invites us, to consider the immense question of our finite time in this world.”—Nicholson Browning, M.D., former Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

“As a way of life that evokes inner joy and ethical action toward others, I read this book with echoes of Judaism in most of the characters, the being and the doing. I loved the awe, gratitude, and grandeur of the material world, both future and past, evoked by one character. Another spoke to me in terms of how we live on in the acts of goodness we perform and in the hearts of those who cherish the memory of loved ones. I especially loved Ludvig’s meanderings and shudders of mortal inspiration.”—Micah Greenstein, Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel, Memphis, TN

“Mortality and Nothingness are the most widely commented and perhaps widely misunderstood of human experiences with strong cultural and religious overlays. Preparing for Nothingness explores a range of interpretations from nihilism to hopefulness to mystery in our common human quest to understand the fundamental nature of death and life. A relevant read in a world preoccupied with longevity.”—The Venerable Tenzin Priyadarshi Rinpoche, author of Running Toward Mystery

National Review Attention

National Media Appearances, including NPR

Newspaper and Magazine Features

Original Essays and Opinion Pieces

Select Author Events

Influencer outreach and social promotion

Digital ARC distribution

Early reader review campaign

Enhanced content for retailers

E-Newsletter campaign

Library and academic marketing