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A history of industrial chemistry
467 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 1972
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 13, 2015
Book from 1957 that is (probably) the best introduction to its topic. Taylor never shied away from using, quoting, and analyzing primary sources: from antiquity's Pliny, to Middle Age's Georgius Agricola, up to Industrial figures e.g. Sir Henry Roscoe.
Unsurprisingly, nearing the modern age, he went less with quotes and more into technical description. One would guess because Taylor had first hand knowledge about them, instead of having to read (and reconstruct) from ancient manuscripts.
Reading this book is a humbling experience. So many things we consider "modern" were actually invented centuries or thousands years ago. Some of them e.g. glass, cement, and detergent.
Perhaps fitting to modify Richard Dawkins' quote: "Marvel at the richness of human ingenuity!"
Unsurprisingly, nearing the modern age, he went less with quotes and more into technical description. One would guess because Taylor had first hand knowledge about them, instead of having to read (and reconstruct) from ancient manuscripts.
Reading this book is a humbling experience. So many things we consider "modern" were actually invented centuries or thousands years ago. Some of them e.g. glass, cement, and detergent.
Perhaps fitting to modify Richard Dawkins' quote: "Marvel at the richness of human ingenuity!"
May 28, 2019
The book is very outdated as of today and the language is archaic and somewhat sexist. The history from the earliest times was very well written though.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews