Voyaging in Strange Seas: The Great Revolution in Science - Hardcover

Knight, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300173792 ISBN 13: 9780300173796

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2014

Synopsis

An ambitious, landmark history of the Scientific Revolution, from the age of Columbus to the age of Cook

In 1492 Columbus set out across the Atlantic; in 1776 American colonists declared their independence. Between these two events old authorities collapsed—Luther’s Reformation divided churches, and various discoveries revealed the ignorance of the ancient Greeks and Romans. A new, empirical worldview had arrived, focusing now on observation, experiment, and mathematical reasoning.
 
This engaging book takes us along on the great voyage of discovery that ushered in the modern age. David Knight, a distinguished historian of science, locates the Scientific Revolution in the great era of global oceanic voyages, which became both a spur to and a metaphor for scientific discovery. He introduces the well-known heroes of the story (Galileo, Newton, Linnaeus) as well as lesser-recognized officers of scientific societies, printers and booksellers who turned scientific discovery into public knowledge, and editors who invented the scientific journal. Knight looks at a striking array of topics, from better maps to more accurate clocks, from a boom in printing to medical advancements. He portrays science and religion as engaged with each other rather than in constant conflict; in fact, science was often perceived as a way to uncover and celebrate God’s mysteries and laws. Populated with interesting characters, enriched with fascinating anecdotes, and built upon an acute understanding of the era, this book tells a story as thrilling as any in human history.

About this title

About the Author

David Knight is Emeritus Professor of History & Philosophy of Science, Durham University, and former editor of the British Journal for the History of Science. He lives in Durham, UK.

Review

“The story of the West’s spectacular development, told by a knowledgeable, patient teacher.”—Kirkus Reviews (Kirkus Reviews)

“Voyaging in Strange Seas is an excellent source of information about the history of science. Its particular value lies in the extensive coverage of how science has influenced the social and political lives of people and countries.”—Donald F. Calbreath, New York Journal of Books (Donald F. Calbreath New York Journal of Books)

Edition details

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0300173792
• ISBN 13: 9780300173796
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 344