In the hallowed tradition of bridging colossal minds for the advancement of theoretical physics, "Shelter Island II" by Roman Jackiw et al. commemorates the seminal congregation that once again sought to redefine the frontiers of the discipline. This volume, a meticulous documentation of the 1983 Shelter Island Conference on Quantum Field Theory and the Fundamental Problems of Physics, serves as both a historical beacon and a clarion call for the future of research in physics. The original Shelter Island conference of 1947, conceived by Robert Oppenheimer, marked a pivotal moment in the annals of physics by setting a post-war course towards "pure" physics. The 1983 conference, captured in these pages, not only honors that legacy but also propels it into new dimensions, gathering an international assembly of luminaries, including Nobel laureates and visionary young physicists, to ponder the profound questions at the heart of the cosmos. "Shelter Island II" unfolds an intellectual saga through its presentations and discussions, encapsulating significant breakthroughs and speculative theories at the edge of human comprehension. The diverse contributions, ranging from the inflationary universe scenario and supersymmetry to Stephen Hawking's reflections on the cosmological constant and Edward Witten's unpublished work on Kaluza-Klein theories, underscore the vibrant and evolving nature of quantum field theory and cosmology. This compendium not only acts as a mirror reflecting the towering achievements of the past but also as a window into the exhilarating, uncertain voyages of future physics. Through these pages, Jackiw and his co-editors invite us to witness the ongoing quest for understanding the universe, making "Shelter Island II" an indispensable resource for anyone captivated by the cosmos's deepest mysteries.