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Before Big Science
Series Editor: Mordechai Feingold, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
In this book, Mary Jo Nye traces the social and intellectual history of the physical sciences from the early nineteenth century to the beginning of the Second World War. Nye examines the sweeping transformation of scientific institutions and professions during the period and the groundbreaking experiments and scientific investigations that fueled that change, from the earliest investigations of molecular chemistry and field dynamics to the revolutionary breakthroughs of quantum mechanics, relativity theory, and nuclear science. Nye intersperses the narrative of these developments with profiles of key figures of modern science, from Dalton to Pasteur to Einstein to Bohr. Notable features of the book include an insightful analysis of the parallel trajectories of modern chemistry and physics and the work of scientists - such as John Dalton, Michael Faraday, Hermann von Helmholtz, Marie Curie, Ernest Rutherford, Dorothy Hodgkin, and Linus Pauling - who played prominent roles in the development of both disciplines.
In this book, Mary Jo Nye traces the social and intellectual history of the physical sciences from the early nineteenth century to the beginning of the Second World War. Nye examines the sweeping transformation of scientific institutions and professions during the period and the groundbreaking experiments and scientific investigations that fueled that change, from the earliest investigations of molecular chemistry and field dynamics to the revolutionary breakthroughs of quantum mechanics, relativity theory, and nuclear science. Nye intersperses the narrative of these developments with profiles of key figures of modern science, from Dalton to Pasteur to Einstein to Bohr. Notable features of the book include an insightful analysis of the parallel trajectories of modern chemistry and physics and the work of scientists - such as John Dalton, Michael Faraday, Hermann von Helmholtz, Marie Curie, Ernest Rutherford, Dorothy Hodgkin, and Linus Pauling - who played prominent roles in the development of both disciplines.
- GenresScience
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 16, 2019
A well written book that describes the history of chemistry and physics during a time of great development. The book discussed many key players and their theories. A background in basic chemistry and physics is helpful. Loved this book.
July 28, 2023
This book seems like it's partially a history of science and partially a science textbook. Since I'm not a massive science geek, a lot of it went over my head. When she's discussing the history of scientific revolutions, or the people behind them, I got it; but when she starts going into technical details about the scientists' findings, and their equations, my brain glazed over. Unfortunately, I glazed over more than I got it.
July 27, 2011
Poorly formated and difficult to read. The sections that I read were mostly factual and did not offer much of insight on any topic mentioned. I would not recommend this book for reading on this topic, there are better books, like Making Modern Science by Bowler and Morus, which is better formated, covers a wider range of topics, and offers something other than facts.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews