For over 2000 years, the Mayan calendar has prophesized the end of the world on December 21, 2012. As the fateful day approaches, corruption, greed, violence, and economic crises are driving the world toward extinction. But there might be a more immediate threat to our future. In the third installment of his bestselling Domain trilogy, Steve Alten reveals the secrets behind the universe#x19;s existence before the Big Bang and those of a new #x1C;Great Explosion#x1D; that might end our species. The Mayan#x19;s were aware of this, and it was their greatest fear. Soon it becomes clear that neither the universe nor human life are as they appear, and our time on earth might just prove to be an intelligent ruse devised by the Creator-as a test.