  We examine the constraints on high-redshift star formation, ultraviolet and
X-ray pre-ionization, and the epoch of reionization at redshift z_r, inferred
from the recent WMAP-5 measurement, tau_e = 0.084 +/- 0.016, of the electron
scattering optical depth of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Half of this
scattering can be accounted for by the optical depth, tau_e = 0.04-0.05, of a
fully ionized intergalactic medium (IGM) at z < z_GP = 6-7, consistent with
Gunn-Peterson absorption in neutral hydrogen. The required additional optical
depth, Delta-tau_e = 0.03 +/- 0.02 at z > z_GP, constrains the ionizing
contributions of first light sources. WMAP-5 also measured a significant
increase in small-scale power, which lowers the required efficiency of star
formation and ionization from mini-halos. Early massive stars (UV radiation)
and black holes (X-rays) can produce a partially ionized IGM, adding to the
residual electrons left from incomplete recombination. Inaccuracies in
computing the ionization history, x_e(z), and degeneracies in cosmological
parameters (Omega_m, Omega_b, sigma_8, n_s) add systematic uncertainty to the
measurement and modeling of $\tau_e$. From the additional optical depth from
sources at z > z_GP, we limit the star-formation efficiency, the rate of
ionizing photon production for Pop III and Pop II stars, and the photon escape
fraction, using standard histories of baryon collapse, minihalo star formation,
and black-hole X-ray preionization.
