Astrophysics on the threshold of the 21st century

This book is a collection of 22 original articles in honor of Professors I.S. Shklovsky and S.B. Pikel'ner. The articles cover these two famous Russian astrophysicists' lives and styles of living their final scientific results, and a prognosis of science in the next century. Current scientific advancements are also discussed. This text is of interest to both students and specialists.