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On Giants' Shoulders: Great Scientists and Their Discoveries From Archimedes to DNA
The story of science unfolds in this account of the lives and extraordinary discoveries of 12 of its greatest figures - Archimedes, Galileo, Newton, Lavoisier, Faraday, Darwin, Poincare, Freud, Einstein, Marie Curie and Crick and Watson. Exploring their impact and legacy with leading scientists of today, including Stephen Jay Gould, Oliver Sacks, Lewis Wolpert, Susan Greenfield, Roger Penrose and Richard Dawkins, Melvyn Bragg illuminates the core issues of science past and present, and seeks to convey the excitement and importance of the scientific past.
365 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 1998
17 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Melvyn Bragg
136 books142 followersMelvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, FRSL, FRTS (born 6 October 1939) is an English author, broadcaster and media personality who, aside from his many literary endeavours, is perhaps most recognised for his work on The South Bank Show.
Bragg is a prolific novelist and writer of non-fiction, and has written a number of television and film screenplays. Some of his early television work was in collaboration with Ken Russell, for whom he wrote the biographical dramas The Debussy Film (1965) and Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1967), as well as Russell's film about Tchaikovsky, The Music Lovers (1970). He is president of the National Academy of Writing. His 2008 novel, Remember Me is a largely autobiographical story.
He is also a Vice President of the Friends of the British Library, a charity set up to provide funding support to the British Library.
Bragg is a prolific novelist and writer of non-fiction, and has written a number of television and film screenplays. Some of his early television work was in collaboration with Ken Russell, for whom he wrote the biographical dramas The Debussy Film (1965) and Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World (1967), as well as Russell's film about Tchaikovsky, The Music Lovers (1970). He is president of the National Academy of Writing. His 2008 novel, Remember Me is a largely autobiographical story.
He is also a Vice President of the Friends of the British Library, a charity set up to provide funding support to the British Library.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 1, 2019
Seemed the entire book was just him quoting other people's opinions. Some parts were interesting but if I didn't have to read this for school I probably wouldn't have made it through.
June 3, 2019
I'd say that for me, this book functions as a brief clarification of the importance of many of these titanic "household" names that anybody with a casual interest in science will know. I was aware of Netwon's temperament and contributions - but not so aware that he formalised science as a precise, organised study. I was aware of Faraday cages - but not that Faraday was a "celebrity scientist" who in our age would probably present TV shows or host a YouTube channel.
I'm not so sure that I liked the interview format of this book, but it IS an adaptation of a series of radio interviews. I'd say this is worth a read if you're looking for a synopsis of the significance of the scientists covered. I must also say, the core concept that we stand upon the shoulders of these giants is quite appealing - I believe that we absolutely do - all of us. Our lives are made easier, safer, more enjoyable, longer and more enriching by the work of the giants of science and engineering - and the unsung heroes who worked with them.
I'm not so sure that I liked the interview format of this book, but it IS an adaptation of a series of radio interviews. I'd say this is worth a read if you're looking for a synopsis of the significance of the scientists covered. I must also say, the core concept that we stand upon the shoulders of these giants is quite appealing - I believe that we absolutely do - all of us. Our lives are made easier, safer, more enjoyable, longer and more enriching by the work of the giants of science and engineering - and the unsung heroes who worked with them.
May 19, 2023
Pretty good brief summary of some of the greatest minds ever. It was a little disappointing that a lot of the details of the achievements were left out. It was very non-techinical high level discussions and interviews with experts in various relevant fields. Overall it was good not great, but I enjoyed it.
April 10, 2017
Simply brilliant.
April 26, 2011
On Giants' Shoulders is less a series of biographies than a discussion of the works of these selected scientists. Bragg combines a few facts with what present-day scientists are thinking about those who came before, an intriguing and effective technique.
I often become annoyed at the perceived disjunction between science and religion. I admire science, a stance which does not interfere with my faith in God. I was thus quite pleased with the final sentence of the book: "…in a mere hundred generations, since the Greeks, the scientific component of the human brain has unleashed itself from superstition and ignorance and is now launched on an astonishing mission whose purpose, it seems to me, is no less than to seek out its Maker." So, there, Richard Dawkins!
I often become annoyed at the perceived disjunction between science and religion. I admire science, a stance which does not interfere with my faith in God. I was thus quite pleased with the final sentence of the book: "…in a mere hundred generations, since the Greeks, the scientific component of the human brain has unleashed itself from superstition and ignorance and is now launched on an astonishing mission whose purpose, it seems to me, is no less than to seek out its Maker." So, there, Richard Dawkins!
November 3, 2011
Started September 5, 2009
Reading this for my college Physics class and it's actually an interesting book. It mentioned Doctor Who, it must be good.
...I never got through it and it is lost in the stacks. But, got an A in the course anyway. :D
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Found the book once more and read it through. It was actually pretty fascinating.
Reading this for my college Physics class and it's actually an interesting book. It mentioned Doctor Who, it must be good.
...I never got through it and it is lost in the stacks. But, got an A in the course anyway. :D
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Found the book once more and read it through. It was actually pretty fascinating.
September 14, 2010
Bez sensacji, choć pomysł przeplatania własnych uwag fragmentami wywiadów z zaproszonymi naukowcami wart wspomnienia (a właściwie odwrotnie - fragmenty wywiadów są tu przeplatane własnymi uwagami). Napisane poprawnie, aczkolwiek wydaje mi się, że niezbyt wyczerpująco.
Czyta się szybko i dość przyjemnie.
Czyta się szybko i dość przyjemnie.
May 19, 2008
Amazing anecdotes and descriptions about the legends of science.
August 25, 2014
I found the format very annoying. As much as I enjoyed the content, I doubt I'll return to this book.
May 23, 2015
Jahas, suositelkaas toista vastaavaa. Näitä vois varmaan luka kymmenen putkeen.
October 22, 2015
It was slightly more than OK, but I got increasingly frustrated by Bragg's reliance on vast and frequent slabs of dialogue from others. The subject matter is terrific, the delivery mediocre.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews