An Idiot’s Fugitive Essays on Science: Methods, Criticism, Training, Circumstances

Substantial collection of essays by mathematician, historian of science, and natural philosopher Clifford Truesdell. The volume gathers Truesdell’s writings on scientific method, criticism, education, scholarly practice, mechanics, the history of mathematics and physics, and the lives and work of major scientists. Illustrated with 30 images and including an index. Truesdell was known for his rigorous and frequently combative approach to the history and philosophy of science. These essays reflect his broad command of mechanics and mathematical physics while examining the standards, habits, institutions, and personalities that shape scientific work. Of particular interest to readers and collectors concerned with the history of mechanics, Euler studies, scientific biography, and twentieth-century philosophy of science. Springer and bibliographic records identify this revised issue as the later softcover edition of the work originally published in 1984. Condition: Near Fine. Cream-colored glossy wrappers show general shelf wear, rubbing, light soiling, scratches, and creasing, with bumped and slightly curled corners. Spine has mild rubbing, discoloration, and shallow creasing but remains legible. Text-block edges show scattered spotting and handling marks. “JWM BOOKSTORE” is stamped in black on the bottom edge of the text block. Binding appears firm and square. Interior pages appear clean and serviceable in the portions examined, with no writing or highlighting observed in the photographed pages. A solid reading or reference copy of this uncommon scholarly title. A useful and unusually wide-ranging collection from an important figure in modern mechanics and the historiography of science. The revised and augmented edition contains 661 pages and expands upon the original hardcover publication, making it the more comprehensive form of the work. Ships carefully packed and protected. Domestic shipping by USPS Media Mail unless otherwise requested. International shipping available at cost. Returns accepted in accordance with AbeBooks’ return policies. SCI 2a. …