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From my readings in the history of science and of religious controversy I was familiar with Priestley's significance before reading this book, but Johnson succeeds marvelously in delineating Priestley's importance to not just his own historical era, but in the grander scheme of intellectual and cultural history leading up to our present. Johnson's best chapters are the most sweeping, such as the discussion in the Intermezzo of the interrelatedness of the Carboniferous Age, Priestley's residence
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Steven Johnson, as usual, weaves a broad tapestry of history and science from the story of one man. Here, the topic is Joseph Priestley, the man who discovered oxygen, but who was also friends with both the scientific establishment in England, but also with some of the founding fathers of the United States.
Fun facts from this book: Priestly's experiments, as described here, were ingenious yet simple. Any junior high school student could replicate them.
Also: Johnson reveals a theory (not his own) ...more
Fun facts from this book: Priestly's experiments, as described here, were ingenious yet simple. Any junior high school student could replicate them.
Also: Johnson reveals a theory (not his own) ...more
Through Ch 2, not very impressed so far. Seems tossed off--he's making little quips about a lot of things, but there isn't really a heart to the historical narrative yet. (The quips get better and fewer later...)
...months later: Glad I came back to this book! Priestley is a fascinating character in early America (although he's British), and his connection to the luminaries of the Revolution is uncanny. Chapter Two: The Rose and the Nightshade was by far the best, explaining the mint experiment a ...more
...months later: Glad I came back to this book! Priestley is a fascinating character in early America (although he's British), and his connection to the luminaries of the Revolution is uncanny. Chapter Two: The Rose and the Nightshade was by far the best, explaining the mint experiment a ...more
A fascinating story of how people so significant in their own time can fade from view as they slip into history, and a little-studied slant on the early days of our nation.
Jan 07, 2009
Elizabeth Weltin
marked it as to-read
Feb 10, 2009
Anie
marked it as to-read
Feb 17, 2009
Elaine Kasteler
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Jul 27, 2009
Juliana Philippa
marked it as to-read
Nov 13, 2013
Janet Whalen
marked it as to-read
Aug 26, 2014
Deedee
marked it as to-read
Aug 03, 2017
Terri
marked it as vaca-home-library
Dec 27, 2018
Megan
marked it as to-read
Mar 09, 2020
Keeley
marked it as to-read
