Advancing technology in many diverse fields has brought about profound change in every facet of life. The rapid developments in strategic defence and laser research, superconductivity, computers and telecommunications rivet the attention of millions of individuals reeling from the fast pace of change in the Space Age. As the 21st Century aproaches many wonder what it all means and - more importantly - how these still mysterious technologies are going to affect our lives. The secret of Quanta explains how the physical universe works - and all of it in terms any interested reader can understand.