Science: A Four Thousand Year History - Softcover

Fara, Patricia

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199580278 ISBN 13: 9780199580279

Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A., 2010

Synopsis

In Science, Patricia Fara rewrites science's past to provide new ways of understanding and questioning our modern technological society. Sweeping through the centuries from ancient Babylon right up to the latest hi-tech experiments in genetics and particle physics, Fara's book also ranges internationally, challenging notions of European superiority by emphasizing the importance of scientific projects based around the world, including revealing discussions of China and the Islamic Empire alongside the more familiar stories about Copernicus's sun-centered astronomy, Newton's gravity, and Darwin's theory of evolution. We see for instance how Muslim leaders encouraged science by building massive libraries, hospitals, and astronomical observatories and we rediscover the significance of medieval Europe-long overlooked-where, surprisingly, religious institutions ensured science's survival, as the learning preserved in monasteries was subsequently developed in new and unique institutions: universities. Instead of focussing on esoteric experiments and abstract theories, she explains how science belongs to the practical world of war, politics, and business. And rather than glorifying scientists as idealized heroes, she tells true stories about real people-men (and some women) who needed to earn their living, who made mistakes, and who trampled down their rivals.

About this title

Product Description:

Science A groundbreaking new history of science, from ancient Babylon right up to the latest hi-tech experiments in genetics and particle physics, illuminating the financial interests, imperial ambitions, and publishing enterprises that have made science the powerful global phenomenon that it is today. Full description

Review:

a surprise and a subversive pleasure (Tim Radford, Guardian: Science Bookclub)

Review from previous edition Fara's book could not be more wide-ranging, beginning [with] the quest to take the story of science as far back as she story of science as far back as she possibly can, and ending bang up to date. The content is ambitious. jusiciously and fairly handled...The narrative moves forward in an engaging way, while the enthusiasm and opinions of the author are never far from the surface. It is a book to provoke thought and argument. An impressive achievement. (Jim Bennett, BBC History Magazine)

Epic history of science (Jo Marchant, New Scientist)

Wide-ranging and provocative...Romps through history at a terrific rate. (The Economist)

An impressive and commendable effort to square the circle, to tell science's history, from the beginning. (Martin D. Gordin, Science)

An engaging book...Fara is to be commended for stepping back - way back - to assess the history of science in its entirety (Robert J Malone, excutive director of the History of Science Society)

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, U.S.A.
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0199580278
• ISBN 13: 9780199580279
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 481