A Short History of Scientific Ideas to 1900

by Charles Joseph Singer

Hardback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in fair all round condition, suitable as a study copy.

Genres: Science, History, Nonfiction

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Charles Joseph Singer was a British historian of science, technology, and medicine.

Reviews

[Caroline]

Very informative, but also dated. A very conventional view of who contributed to scientific advancement. Pages on William Herschel but no mention of Caroline Herschel. Lots on astronomy but no recognition of Maria Mitchell. The end date apparently rules out Marie Curie; because she didn’t actually win the Nobel until 1905? The only woman who merits a mention is Hypatia.

[James Violand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book showing the progress in scientific thought from Thales of ancient Greece to the turn of the 20th Century. Want to discover how our understanding of the properties of electricity were developed? How about biology? Chemistry? Physics? An incredible work. If only most Freshman entered High School with a modicum of competency, this book would be required reading. Then most of the basis for the sciences taught would be understood. Singer was a gifted writer and this work is easy to understand. Highly recommended to anyone with a basic intelligence.

[Alexander Kb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring, enjoyable and illuminating.

[Carol Collins]

1959, hardcover, dustcover

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of dates and names to wade through, but an amazing look at the 'progress' of science. An eye opening look at the fits, starts, and set-backs of the mechanical understanding of our world.
The book is at it's best when making historical commentary, especially about the paradigms that were considered 'truth' because of their vogue of the time. While many old ideas may seem outlandish or idiotic in our day, it is important to understand that they formed and are responsible for the ideas we hold true. Our current world is built upon ideas in some cases no different from those of the ancients, and in other ways novel and naive without having had the history to be validated, and completely susceptible to the historical folly future generations will look back on us with.

[Lisajean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is dated in terms of the author's style, but the content is fascinating. Singer moves fairly quickly through history and at times it feels like he's just listing names of inventors/ scientists/ doctors, but it's such an easy read that I didn't mind. He duly credits the Arabs and the Jews for their contributions to Western science and does a good job of showing the development not just of technology but of the scientific mind.

[CharlesBarges]

So far I am loving this book. I really enjoy learning about scientific ideas.