Scientifica Historica
is an illustrated, accessible review of those books that marked the development of science from ancient civilizations to the new millennium.
The book is divided into
five eras
and explores the leading
scientific pioneers, discoveries and books
within them:
Ancient World
– looks at the
beginnings of language
, plus the
first ever scientific documents
produced and translated
Renaissance in Print
– explores the effects of the
invention of the printing press
and the exploration of the seas and skies
Modern Classical
– surveys the
nineteenth century
and the development of
science as a profession
Post-Classical
– dissects the
twentieth century
and the introduction of
relativity, quantum theory and genetics
The Next Generation
– reviews the period from
1980 to the modern day
, showing how science has become accessible to the
general public
Plus an introduction to the history and development of writing and books in general, and a list of the 150 greatest science books published.
From carvings and scrolls to glossy bound tomes, this book beautifully illustrates the evolution of scientific communication to the world. By recounting the history of science via its key works—those books written by the keenest minds our world has known—this book reflects the physical results of brilliant thought manifested in titles that literally changed the course of knowledge.