It began as a simple layperson's question regarding the nature of reality before the Big Bang. It journeyed through an email conversation with 100 scientists, including cosmologists and physicists from more than 90 institutions in 18 countries. It resulted in this book. Unlike most books on this subject which give one perspective while nodding nominally at others before politely dismissing them, this text presents a wide range of differing opinions, showing the variability of possibilities, certainties, hypotheses, guesses and speculations. Written by experts, aimed at a layperson, and with only minor editing for clarity, the text retains the original voice and views. The reader is invited to explore the comments and pursue the further references given to pursue the quest for knowledge.