![Smith, Delia & Eno, Brian & Kelsey Fry, Jamie PREORDER NONFICTION New Delia Smith: Us [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/smith-delia-eno-brian-kelsey-fry-jamie-delia-smith-us-2026-9781837267385-1249170005_{width}x.jpg?v=1784119692)
![Biden, Joe PREORDER NONFICTION New Joe Biden: Promise Me, America [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/biden-joe-joe-biden-promise-me-america-2026-9781399844291-1249170008_{width}x.jpg?v=1784119780)
![Brubaker, Ed & Phillips, Sean PREORDER NONFICTION New Ed Brubaker: Five Gears In Reverse: A Criminal Book [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/brubaker-ed-phillips-sean-ed-brubaker-five-gears-in-reverse-a-criminal-book-2026-9781534333208-1247353298_{width}x.jpg?v=1783176520)
![Babitz, Eve & Anolik, Lili PREORDER NONFICTION New Eve Babitz: Too L.A. [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/babitz-eve-anolik-lili-eve-babitz-too-l-a-2026-9781805467816-1246544616_{width}x.jpg?v=1782849431)
![Carr, Katie & Carr, Toby PREORDER NONFICTION New Katie Carr: Moderate Becoming Good Later [2023]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/carr-katie-carr-toby-katie-carr-moderate-becoming-good-later-2023-9781800076105-1246153490_{width}x.jpg?v=1782492759)
'At last, a sensible and penetrating look at the possibility of life on Mars ... Bravo to Benner, one of the world's most accomplished chemists, for putting the possibility of extant Martian life back on the scientific agenda'
Paul Davies, author of Quantum 2.0
Are we alone in the universe?
Mars has always seemed where we were likeliest to find the answer. Yet, since the Viking landers touched down in 1976, no mission has returned to the Martian surface to search directly for life living there now. Instead we're searching the moons of outer planets, or the atmospheres of planets many light years away.
In Meet the Neighbors, pioneering astrobiochemist Steven A. Benner argues that this was a historic mistake. That we're looking in the wrong place. Drawing on the Viking archive and explaining how the scientific process failed, he re-examines the mission that first searched for extant Martian life and makes the provocative case that its results were misunderstood. In the decades that have followed, Mars science has focused on water, geology and past habitability, while the most direct question - is anything alive on Mars today? - has been pushed aside.
Benner shows why Mars remains the most accessible place to discover a second origin of life, and why finding even microbial organisms there would transform our understanding of our place in the cosmos. He also asks a deeper question: what counts as life in the first place? From the chemistry that may give rise to living systems to "agnostic" tools capable of detecting unfamiliar biology, he lays out a bold and practical blueprint for the next phase of exploration.
At once a scientific detective story, a challenge to decades of orthodoxy, and a lucid guide to one of humanity's biggest questions, Meet the Neighbors is the definitive, urgent brief on where to go, what to measure, and why the next discovery won't just change textbooks - it will rewrite our place in the universe.
- Publisher Name:Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241808306
- Author:Benner, Steven A.
- Publication Date:2026-07-23
Refund Policy
If you are not satisfied with your order in any way, get in touch. We have an excellent customer service record and we will do our best to ensure you are pleased with your purchase.
📄 Exercise Your Right of Withdrawal
Under EU consumer law, you have the right to withdraw from your purchase within 14 days of receiving your order, without giving a reason. To formally exercise this right, use the button below. This is a distinct function separate from our general returns process.
Your right to cancel
If you order online, you have the right to cancel your order within 14 days of receiving your goods, without giving a reason. This cooling-off period runs from the day you (or someone you nominate) receives the last item in your order. To cancel, contact us at shop@chaptersbookstore.com stating your order number and your wish to withdraw from the purchase. Once we've confirmed your cancellation, you have 14 days to send the goods back to us.
Condition of returned items
To be eligible for a refund, your item must be returned unworn, unused and unread, in its original packaging, and in the same condition you received it. You'll also need your receipt or proof of purchase. If your return is based on the item's condition on arrival, please include a photo so we can advise the best resolution.
Faulty or damaged items
Please inspect your order on arrival and contact us immediately if an item is defective, damaged, or not what you ordered. Separately from the 14-day cancellation right above, you're entitled to a repair, replacement or refund on faulty goods for up to two years from purchase, under standard consumer guarantee rights.
This guarantee covers manufacturing faults only, such as printing errors, missing pages, or binding defects present at the time of purchase. It does not cover damage arising from normal use or wear, including creased spines, worn covers, marked pages or general signs of reading. If you're unsure whether an issue qualifies, send us a photo and we'll be happy to advise.
How to return
To start a return, contact us at shop@chaptersbookstore.com. If your return is accepted, we'll send you a return shipping label and instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted. If a return is due to an error on our part, we'll cover the postage cost.
Exceptions and non-returnable items
Certain items cannot be returned, including custom products, special orders, sale items and gift cards.
Trade-In Programme
If you're trading in previously owned books rather than returning a purchase, please see our separate Trade-In Programme terms, which operate independently of this policy.
Refunds
Once we've received and inspected your return, we'll let you know if the refund has been approved. If approved, you'll be refunded automatically to your original payment method. Please allow some time for your bank or card provider to process and post the refund.
Free Delivery in the Republic Of Ireland on all orders over €30. Standard Delivery Charge in Republic of Ireland of €5 for all orders below €30.
Delivery is subject to warehouse availability. Out-of-stock items will be shipped as soon as possible, upon arrival from the manufacturer/publisher. Please take shipping time into consideration.
