A Little History of Science

Summary

Science is fantastic. It tells us about the
infinite reaches of space, the tiniest living organism, the human body,
the history of Earth. People have always been doing science because they
have always wanted to make sense of the world and harness its power.
From ancient Greek philosophers through Einstein and Watson and Crick to
the computer-assisted scientists of today, men and women have wondered,
examined, experimented, calculated, and sometimes made discoveries so
earthshaking that people understood the world—or themselves—in an
entirely new way.

This inviting book tells a great adventure
story: the history of science. It takes listeners to the stars through the
telescope, as the sun replaces the earth at the center of our universe.
It delves beneath the surface of the planet, charts the evolution of
chemistry's periodic table, introduces the physics that explain
electricity, gravity, and the structure of atoms. It recounts the
scientific quest that revealed the DNA molecule and opened unimagined
new vistas for exploration.Emphasizing surprising and personal stories of scientists both famous and unsung, A Little History of Science traces
the march of science through the centuries. The book opens a window on
the exciting and unpredictable nature of scientific activity and
describes the uproar that may ensue when scientific findings challenge
established ideas. With a warm, accessible
style, this is a book for young and old to treasure together.