Publisher's Synopsis
"The History of Science" takes you through the key role science has played in helping us understand the world, improving our lives, and driving progress. From early observations in prehistoric times to modern advancements in physics, genetics, and artificial intelligence, this book tells the story of how scientific knowledge has grown over time.
Readers will learn about the achievements of ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and China, as well as the early Greek contributions of Thales, Pythagoras, and Aristotle. The book covers advancements during the Hellenistic period by Euclid and Archimedes, Roman contributions to building and medicine, and how classical knowledge was saved by Byzantine, Islamic, and monastic scholars.
This book dives into the Islamic Golden Age, highlighting the work of Al-Khwarizmi, Ibn Sina, and Alhazen. It covers the Carolingian Renaissance, the mixing of Greek and Islamic science by scholars like Thomas Aquinas and Roger Bacon, and the growth of natural philosophy in medieval universities. The Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution are brought to life through the work of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and Newton, along with the creation of the scientific method by Francis Bacon and René Descartes.
"The History of Science" looks at the role of science in the Enlightenment, advancements in chemistry, biology, and physics by Boyle, Lavoisier, and Linnaeus, and the start of scientific societies. The impact of the Industrial Revolution is shown through the contributions of Watt, Faraday, and Maxwell, and the beginning of modern chemistry with Mendeleev's periodic table.
The book covers the growth of scientific knowledge in the 19th century, including Darwin's theory of evolution, Maxwell's equations, and the start of modern medicine with Pasteur and Koch. The early 20th century brought revolutionary ideas in quantum mechanics and relativity, the discovery of DNA, and new inventions by Edison, Tesla, and Marconi. The mid to late 20th century saw the space race, developments in computer science, and breakthroughs in medical science and biotechnology.
Finally, the book looks at contemporary science and future directions, including modern advancements in physics and cosmology, cutting-edge research in genetics, nanotechnology, and AI, and the role of science in addressing global problems like climate change and public health. "The History of Science" is a must-read for anyone interested in the growth of scientific knowledge and its big impact on the world.
