This book has its flaws, but it came into my life at an extremely critical time, when I was questioning my Christian faith. Its philosophical ideas of a universe which is mysterious, confusing, and no less beautiful or worthwhile for that mystery, really helped me come to terms with my developing agnosticism. Without it, I might not have been able to let go of the beliefs that were holding me back. Is that reason enough to rate it as one of my favorite books? Yes.