The History of Science in the Eighteenth Century

The History of Science #2

by Ray Spangenburg, Diane Moser

Recounts the findings of leading eighteenth-century scientists in the areas of astronomy, geology, chemistry, the life sciences, and the study of electricity

Genres: History Of Science, History, Science

156 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're interested in big ideas in science, this brief book is a good reminder that between Newton and Darwin and Einstein there were many scientists who had big ideas and many who experimented to confirm on falsify concepts. Their ideas sometimes were wrong, sometimes didn't go far enough, sometimes were in the right but not accepted; nonetheless, right or wrong, these scientists - some whose names have been forgotten - paved the way for the scientific work of the 19th & 20 centuries. The author's introductions to chapters nicely recaps the past and summarizes where the status of specific field in the 18th Century, and the bios of each of the scientists covered are succinct, yet provide satisfactory descriptions of each personality. The book is essentially a compilation of bios and their accomplishments. You can read the book straight through (which is the most rewarding way) or you can jump around. The authors is very good at keeping his writing clear and to the point.

[EAL · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview, which I read for research and enjoyed more than I expected. Well-organized and surprisingly liberal, given how rightwashed books for youth usually are--which raises the disturbing question of if that was why it was removed from the public library. Contains much wonder at the spirit of inquiry/the scientific quest. I view it as a collection of pointers to topics which should be researched independently for more depth.