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Light: A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age
From early myths to the latest LEDs, light has been "the magician of the cosmos." But what is light? Is it God? Truth? Particle or wave? This "radiant history" sees light through the eyes of mystics, sages, artists, poets, and scientists. Like the Nobel-winning physicist who studied light "because it's so much fun," Bruce Watson enjoys taking readers along in search of this eternal force of nature. Light explores ancient observatories and Gothic cathedrals, Galileo's workshop and Isaac Newton's "darken'd chamber." Readers will visit Rembrandt's studio and watch stunning sunrises at Stonehenge and at Newgrange in Ireland. The story follows light as it is captured by cameras, framed by Impressionists, and electrified by Edison. Finally, Light brings us to a world remade by lasers, making ours truly the Age of Light.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 2, 2016
About the author
Bruce Watson
49 books32 followersBruce Watson is the author of "Light: A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age" (Bloomsbury, Feb. 2016). Starting with creation stories and following the trail of luminescence through three millennia, "Light" explores how humanity has worshiped, captured, studied, painted, and finally controlled light. The book's cast of characters includes Plato, Ptolemy, Alhacen, Dante, Leonardo, Rembrandt, Galileo, Newton, Daguerre, Monet, Edison, Einstein... The American Library Association's Booklist called "Light: A Radiant History" "a dazzling book."
Watson currently writes the online magazine The Attic (www.theattic.space.) With weekly articles about American Dreamers, Wonders, Wits, Rebels, Teachers, and more, The Attic promotes “a kinder,cooler America.”
Watson is also the author of four other well-reviewed books, including "Freedom Summer: The Savage Season that Made Mississippi Burn and Made America a Democracy," "Sacco and Vanzetti: The Men, The Murders, and The Judgment of Mankind," and "Bread and Roses: Mills, Migrants, and the Struggle for the American Dream."
Watson has also written more than three dozen feature articles for Smithsonian. His work has appeared in the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, American Heritage, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Yankee, Reader’s Digest, and Best American Science and Nature Writing 2003.
Watson currently writes the online magazine The Attic (www.theattic.space.) With weekly articles about American Dreamers, Wonders, Wits, Rebels, Teachers, and more, The Attic promotes “a kinder,cooler America.”
Watson is also the author of four other well-reviewed books, including "Freedom Summer: The Savage Season that Made Mississippi Burn and Made America a Democracy," "Sacco and Vanzetti: The Men, The Murders, and The Judgment of Mankind," and "Bread and Roses: Mills, Migrants, and the Struggle for the American Dream."
Watson has also written more than three dozen feature articles for Smithsonian. His work has appeared in the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, American Heritage, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Yankee, Reader’s Digest, and Best American Science and Nature Writing 2003.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 19, 2016
"Watson's writing style keeps the narrative moving and his readers entertained. Readers already familiar with the science may find that Light doesn't provide much new information, but those with only basic knowledge and a curiosity about the natural world will find it a delight." Kim Kovacs, BookBrowse.com. Full review at: https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/in...
March 4, 2018
Watson faz um passeio por várias formas de entendermos e fazermos luz. É bem marcante ver a transição de luz+fuligem+calor que tínhamos com madeira e depois gordura animal e vegetal queimando, para luz+calor da luz incandescente e depois luz pura com LED. O que achei mais legal foi que boa parte do entendimento sobre iluminação e fontes de luz ele passou explicando a arte, de pinturas renascentistas a mais modernas. Um bom livro para quem quer misturar história, arte e física.
March 29, 2016
I received this book from Good Reads.
This book is, indeed, what the title tells you. A history of light from the Big Bang to Einstein's "theory" of quantum physics. I may now even understand that theory even better now!
Thought provoking, stimulating and very readable.
This book is, indeed, what the title tells you. A history of light from the Big Bang to Einstein's "theory" of quantum physics. I may now even understand that theory even better now!
Thought provoking, stimulating and very readable.
May 5, 2016
An interesting history of the evolution of our understanding of light. A bit too philosophical and too little science for me.
October 7, 2018
This rather curious work juxtaposes historical instances relating to humanity’s fascination with light over the millennia to provide a kind of overarching linked narrative for our contemplation.
Most of the physics of light has been achieved only within the last two centuries or so. Our interaction with it, of course, has been there for tens if not hundreds of thousands of years (and obviously even earlier than that, if one is to take in the vision-enhanced biological creatures which existed well before mankind arrived on the scene). Watson starts his discourse with the still occurring annual rituals held at dawn during the northern winter solstice at Stonehenge: the event celebrates and welcomes the expectation that the sun will stop its apparent movement away from the north, and begin its return journey to bring back increasing warmth and light.
From then on, the book looks at the why and the how of mankind’s relationship to light. Earliest reports suggest awe and mystery as the earliest reactions. Light became respected and revered as life-bringer and comforter. The sun, major (only?) light provider, became revered and eventually worshipped as some kind of god. Literature expounded on this mysterious substance; poets exalted it; philosophers pondered on it (even tinkering for a while on the idea that our eyes “projected” light onto the world around us); and so on. Light soon became a metaphor of all sorts of related things; and light as metaphor (for god, love, emotions, fervour, holiness, knowledge, ideas, ecstasy, etc.) readily became adopted into most writings on the subject.
Other areas relate to the use and applicability of light. How to make use of and/or imitate its shining and glitter were prized qualities. Reflecting surfaces of certain metals mimicked this quality and were used in buildings and architecture for that purpose; as were translucent materials constructed to allow light shine through them either unadorned, but more dramatically through stained glass to reflect “glory” and “spirituality” within those buildings. How to represent light in paintings is another area where astonishing effects can and have been achieved. Even the reproduction of a specific sequence of sounds in music (e.g. in Haydn’s The Creation) to create a sonic equivalent of light (if that actually means anything — after all, light is not noisy at all, but very silent indeed!).
The idea of capturing light also took on, mainly for the other benefits it provided. Artificial light, initially linked to fire, gas burning, and eventually to electricity. Capturing light through lenses to create magnifying glasses, then microscopes, and also of course telescopes, and these were refined over the centuries to reveal more and more astonishing never-before seen realities of our planet and our universe. Similar improvements in capturing light through it chemical reactions to certain elements enabled hard copies to be made and reproduced in photographs; and these used in turn to create the illusion of movement for motion pictures. Other uses of light from the quantum revolution in physics have contributed immensely to the use of LEDs, computers, the Internet, and the associated screens. Where would we be without light?
It is impossible to overemphasise the importance light has in our thoughts and imagination — after all, we have eyes which respond to specific stimulations provided by light, and in all probability we as a species developed these particular sense organs precisely because there was light in the first place. Of all our normal senses, sight is the one which provides us with an awareness of things at the furthest distance from our physical bodies; sounds and smells are comparatively close to us, while taste and touch are the most intimately connected to us. As to what exactly light is, however, still remains essentially a mystery.
In his Introduction Watson states that his book “attempts to reconcile the battles between science and humanities, between religion and doubt, between mathematics and metaphor”. His writing is elegant enough and easy to read, and I admire his intention, but for all that, I cannot say with any certainty that he has succeeded in his quest. At the same time, perhaps it is just that the dichotomies he wishes to reconcile are in fact irreconcilable — or maybe that is just me…
Most of the physics of light has been achieved only within the last two centuries or so. Our interaction with it, of course, has been there for tens if not hundreds of thousands of years (and obviously even earlier than that, if one is to take in the vision-enhanced biological creatures which existed well before mankind arrived on the scene). Watson starts his discourse with the still occurring annual rituals held at dawn during the northern winter solstice at Stonehenge: the event celebrates and welcomes the expectation that the sun will stop its apparent movement away from the north, and begin its return journey to bring back increasing warmth and light.
From then on, the book looks at the why and the how of mankind’s relationship to light. Earliest reports suggest awe and mystery as the earliest reactions. Light became respected and revered as life-bringer and comforter. The sun, major (only?) light provider, became revered and eventually worshipped as some kind of god. Literature expounded on this mysterious substance; poets exalted it; philosophers pondered on it (even tinkering for a while on the idea that our eyes “projected” light onto the world around us); and so on. Light soon became a metaphor of all sorts of related things; and light as metaphor (for god, love, emotions, fervour, holiness, knowledge, ideas, ecstasy, etc.) readily became adopted into most writings on the subject.
Other areas relate to the use and applicability of light. How to make use of and/or imitate its shining and glitter were prized qualities. Reflecting surfaces of certain metals mimicked this quality and were used in buildings and architecture for that purpose; as were translucent materials constructed to allow light shine through them either unadorned, but more dramatically through stained glass to reflect “glory” and “spirituality” within those buildings. How to represent light in paintings is another area where astonishing effects can and have been achieved. Even the reproduction of a specific sequence of sounds in music (e.g. in Haydn’s The Creation) to create a sonic equivalent of light (if that actually means anything — after all, light is not noisy at all, but very silent indeed!).
The idea of capturing light also took on, mainly for the other benefits it provided. Artificial light, initially linked to fire, gas burning, and eventually to electricity. Capturing light through lenses to create magnifying glasses, then microscopes, and also of course telescopes, and these were refined over the centuries to reveal more and more astonishing never-before seen realities of our planet and our universe. Similar improvements in capturing light through it chemical reactions to certain elements enabled hard copies to be made and reproduced in photographs; and these used in turn to create the illusion of movement for motion pictures. Other uses of light from the quantum revolution in physics have contributed immensely to the use of LEDs, computers, the Internet, and the associated screens. Where would we be without light?
It is impossible to overemphasise the importance light has in our thoughts and imagination — after all, we have eyes which respond to specific stimulations provided by light, and in all probability we as a species developed these particular sense organs precisely because there was light in the first place. Of all our normal senses, sight is the one which provides us with an awareness of things at the furthest distance from our physical bodies; sounds and smells are comparatively close to us, while taste and touch are the most intimately connected to us. As to what exactly light is, however, still remains essentially a mystery.
In his Introduction Watson states that his book “attempts to reconcile the battles between science and humanities, between religion and doubt, between mathematics and metaphor”. His writing is elegant enough and easy to read, and I admire his intention, but for all that, I cannot say with any certainty that he has succeeded in his quest. At the same time, perhaps it is just that the dichotomies he wishes to reconcile are in fact irreconcilable — or maybe that is just me…
August 24, 2016
The Light by Bruce Watson is a phenomenal read. This book covers everything about Light. Light has always gotten the best of our curiosity. Light can be many things and taken in many different ways. I was amazed at all of the topics covered about light in this title. From science to history perspectives on light...readers will not only be informed, educated, but also entertained. Fans of history will immediately love this book as much I have reading it. Then there's the fact that humans have yet to know all there is about light. Measuring it, to capturing it, and then to creating our own light. Many well-known names of scientists and others are mentioned throughout the book. Instantly upon having opened Light, I have gone on a journey of rediscovering and understanding it in more than one way. Bruce Watson has wonderfully crafted an exciting and refreshing detailed book on light. Overall, I enjoyed reading it and highly recommend it to all.
September 27, 2018
Wow!!
I don't know what else to say about this absolutely fascinating journey through the history of light. The book is well researched. A summary of the vast literature about light.
I don't know what else to say about this absolutely fascinating journey through the history of light. The book is well researched. A summary of the vast literature about light.
December 21, 2024
For what I wanted, this book was a failure. It's mostly about the science of light and how "light" has been perceived and interpreted over the ages, but mostly metaphorically. It somehow neglects the science of how light has been received and incorporated — literally — by life on this planet for more than 4 billion years, neglecting even to mention this dimension. Perhaps that was an editorial decision, but it might have deserved a paragraph or two?
I realize that photosynthesis per se is a huge rabbit hole (one that I've gone down multiple times with other writers). Again, just to have mentioned it and dismissed it explicitly as out of the scope of this book would have been at least a courtesy. And then, more along the lines that this book does take, it might have been worth a chapter or two to consider how civilizations have developed insights about how light is taken and used in the natural world, and then by us in our agricultural practices and in many of the products we consume (not even to mention solar energy, including wind). That would have been within the scope of the book, as it presents itself. Perhaps it's unfair to judge the book by what it neglects, but still I wonder how it's possible to write a whole book on the subject of "light" apparently without any consciousness of this dimension.
I realize that photosynthesis per se is a huge rabbit hole (one that I've gone down multiple times with other writers). Again, just to have mentioned it and dismissed it explicitly as out of the scope of this book would have been at least a courtesy. And then, more along the lines that this book does take, it might have been worth a chapter or two to consider how civilizations have developed insights about how light is taken and used in the natural world, and then by us in our agricultural practices and in many of the products we consume (not even to mention solar energy, including wind). That would have been within the scope of the book, as it presents itself. Perhaps it's unfair to judge the book by what it neglects, but still I wonder how it's possible to write a whole book on the subject of "light" apparently without any consciousness of this dimension.
August 8, 2026
I went into Light: "A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age" expecting something strictly scientific, maybe even a bit dry, but what I found instead was a surprisingly rich and almost poetic exploration of something we all take for granted. Bruce Watson doesn’t just explain light he tells its story, and in doing so, he quietly reshapes how you see the world around you.
What struck me most is how the book moves so effortlessly across disciplines. One moment you’re reading about ancient civilizations and their almost sacred reverence for light, and the next you’re in the company of Galileo or Newton, witnessing the early attempts to understand its nature. It never feels forced. Instead, it feels like you’re traveling through time, guided by someone who genuinely loves the subject and wants you to feel that same curiosity.
What struck me most is how the book moves so effortlessly across disciplines. One moment you’re reading about ancient civilizations and their almost sacred reverence for light, and the next you’re in the company of Galileo or Newton, witnessing the early attempts to understand its nature. It never feels forced. Instead, it feels like you’re traveling through time, guided by someone who genuinely loves the subject and wants you to feel that same curiosity.
August 19, 2020
I don't usually read non-fiction, but two back to back DNFs left me wanting something different.
Light: A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age read like fiction and reminded me dearly of all the time I "wasted" learning about light on Wikipedia while I was supposed to be doing school work. I learned so much history and came to better understand physics concepts I had already been acquainted with.
I left one star off my rating because half of the book at least is diluted with art history. I understood the relevance of artists, how they perceived and painted light, but Bruce Watson analyzes each age and shares details about many artists from every one. A few paragraphs on the topic as he progressed through the timeline would have sufficed.
Light: A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age read like fiction and reminded me dearly of all the time I "wasted" learning about light on Wikipedia while I was supposed to be doing school work. I learned so much history and came to better understand physics concepts I had already been acquainted with.
I left one star off my rating because half of the book at least is diluted with art history. I understood the relevance of artists, how they perceived and painted light, but Bruce Watson analyzes each age and shares details about many artists from every one. A few paragraphs on the topic as he progressed through the timeline would have sufficed.
August 9, 2026
There are books you read for entertainment, and then there are books that quietly change how you think. "Light: A Radiant History from Creation to the Quantum Age" falls into the second category for me. What makes this book stand out is its scope. It doesn’t limit itself to one angle or discipline. Instead, it brings together science, history, art, and even spirituality into one continuous narrative. At first, I wondered if that would make it feel scattered, but surprisingly, it does the opposite. Everything connects in a way that feels intentional and deeply thought out.
March 14, 2023
Light has always powered our collective imagination.
Bruce Watson discusses the cultural history of light. He discusses it across inventions, religions, mythologies, and more. It requires an understanding of perceptions and that could turn people off the book.
Eventually, science demystifies light, and Watson covers that, too. The Maxwell Equations lead to Einstein’s Special Relativity.
The book is illuminating if you will excuse the pun. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
Bruce Watson discusses the cultural history of light. He discusses it across inventions, religions, mythologies, and more. It requires an understanding of perceptions and that could turn people off the book.
Eventually, science demystifies light, and Watson covers that, too. The Maxwell Equations lead to Einstein’s Special Relativity.
The book is illuminating if you will excuse the pun. Thanks for reading my review, and see you next time.
August 6, 2026
The author does a great job of making a complicated topic feel manageable. It reads more like a journey than a lecture. I found myself genuinely interested in parts I did not expect. It is a well balanced book overall. This book feels carefully put together from start to finish. The ideas are explained in a way that builds your understanding over time. I never felt overwhelmed while reading it. It is both calm and engaging at the same time.
Want to Read
July 31, 2026This book really surprised me with how engaging it turned out to be. It takes something as complex as light and breaks it down into ideas that actually make sense without talking down to you. I liked how it moved between science and history in a very natural way. It felt like I was learning a lot without having to push through it.
August 9, 2026
I would not call this a fast paced book, but that is exactly why I enjoyed it. It allows you to sit with each moment and really understand what is being said. That made the experience more memorable for me. There were moments in this book that genuinely caught me off guard. Not in a shocking way, but in how relatable they felt. It made me pause and reflect on my own perspective.
July 27, 2026
This book really surprised me. I expected a straightforward science read, but it turned out to be much more part history, part philosophy, and part storytelling. It made me realize how central light is to everything we experience.
August 1, 2026
This is a solid read if you enjoy learning something new without feeling like you are studying. The mix of ideas is handled really well, and nothing feels out of place. It is thoughtful without being heavy. I would definitely recommend it to curious readers.
August 1, 2026
I appreciated how the book makes complex ideas feel accessible without losing their depth. It does not try too hard to impress, which actually makes it more enjoyable. There is a calm, steady flow to the writing that keeps you engaged. It is the kind of book you can take your time with.
August 3, 2026
I was not sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a really worthwhile read. The explanations are clear and the structure makes sense. It keeps your attention without trying too hard. I am glad I gave it a chance.
August 5, 2026
This turned out to be a really thoughtful and engaging read. It is not overly technical, but it still gives you a lot to think about. The writing flows well from one idea to the next. I would definitely recommend it.
August 5, 2026
I appreciated how consistent the tone of the book is throughout. It does not jump around or lose focus. The explanations are clear and easy to follow. It feels like a reliable and well written piece of work.
August 13, 2026
I picked this up on a quiet evening and ended up reading longer than I planned. There is something about the way the author writes that pulls you in gently. It felt personal at times, like I was part of the journey rather than just observing it.
May 22, 2017
I was expecting more for some reason. It felt very dull to me. Some parts were alright, but overall this book fell flat for me.
June 3, 2017
This book took me a while to get through, mainly because I was reading it over my lunch breaks at work.
I found it interesting, the characters & their beliefs on what light was/is and how it works.
I found it interesting, the characters & their beliefs on what light was/is and how it works.
January 25, 2018
I enjoyed this book very much!
November 14, 2019
Brilliantly written. Engaging from paragraph to paragraph. Watson makes light luminous!
June 27, 2022
I started reading this, but I put it down. A little too surface and not challenging enough for me.
August 19, 2024
4.5 -5.0 if I understood Physics a bit better it would be a solid 5.0
October 1, 2024
Interesting read.
November 17, 2025
Blinkist
An interesting narrative of the history of the evolution of our understanding of light. A bit too philosophical and too little science detailed for me.
An interesting narrative of the history of the evolution of our understanding of light. A bit too philosophical and too little science detailed for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews