Based on the '240' Conference held at the University of Chicago in September of 2012, this special volume of The Advances in Chemical Physics series celebrates scientific research contributions and careers of R. Stephen Berry, Stuart A. Rice and Joshua Jortner. In addition to continuing the chemical physics field with a forum for critical, authoritative evaluations of advances in the discipline, Volume 157 explores the following topics: The Emergence and Breakdown of Complexity Dynamics at Extremes Grand Questions Regarding Biomolecular Homochirality in the Origin and Evolution of Life The book: celebrates the scientific research contributions and careers of R. Stephen Berry, Stuart A. Rice and Joshua Jortner contributes to the only series available that presents the cutting edge of research in chemical physics includes contributions from experts in this field of research structured with an editorial framework that makes the book an excellent supplement to an advanced graduate class in physical chemistry or chemical physics