Product Description

From the beginnings of history, with gnomans and sundials, through to the 21st century and the 26-kilometre underground particle accelerator, this work describes the way that the design and production of scientific instruments has extended the frontiers of science. Man's desire to understand the universe has led to the making of more and more sophisticated instruments - first to record and measure (Arab numerals, standarized measures), to examine ever more minutely (the microscope, the lens, the prism), on through electromagnets, cathode tubes, thermometers, vacuum pumps, X-rays, counters and accelerators, semi-conductors and micro-processors, down to instruments now being designed to observe matter at zero temperatures - presenting immense technological problems in the requirement for instruments that can operate in conditions where normal properties no longer hold - no gases, no electrical resistance. With vivid pen-portraits of the scientists responible for such advances, this book should be of interest to both scientists and general readers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #978003 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 436 pages

Review
'Crump successfully conveys the rich grainy texture of science and discovery, yet in an accessible way... [This] is a serious and fully furnished history of science, from which anyone interested in the development of ideas - or indeed, in history itself - will greatly profit.' - A.C. Grayling, Financial Times; 'He provides lively summaries of the progress in different fields, and succeeds in breathing new life into familiar stories.' - Economist

The Guardian, October 26, 2002
'Provides an enduring sense of the extraordinary ingenuity that defines our relationship with nature.'

The Scotsman, October 19, 2002
'Crump dispenses layman-friendly explanations and absorbing biographical details of major figures with equal ease.'

Customer Reviews

Well written detailed account about a broad subject
Having not really read anything scientific since I was at school, I was intrigued by this book to provide me an opportunity to recap all the things I should have known but didn't.

Science itself is of course a huge subject and Crump is very careful to explain what he is writing about and what he is not (notably chemistry). I had expected the book to focus primarily on 1700-1900 but was surprised to see how much broader Crump has aimed at.. starting with a detailed analysis of the mastery of fire, and finishing with Big Science / quantum science, both huge subjects in themselves.

The book is not geared particularly at academics but it is written with an academic slant, focussing on instrumentation as the benchmark throughout the history of science rather than a more plain narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to brush up on what they learnt at school and understand the basics of some of the newer science. As a pure reference book I think the book would be lacking though.