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phf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
sallyavena's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't get very far, before it was due at the library (it was already a day overdue, so I couldn't renew). I wasn't impressed with the first 100 pages or so. To much time spent on the sexual exploits in Tahiti.
debbiebarr's review against another edition
4.0
This was probably the most enjoyable textbook I've read for a science class. The context of science in the romantic period is interesting , and the author writes in a compelling way. However, some of the events may be a little sensationalized, such as the greater emphasis on Davy's use of nitrous oxide over his discovery of elements. Despite this, though, it is a great read, especially for those who may not be as interested in science.
uhambe_nami's review against another edition
4.0
From Joseph Banks's Tahiti voyage to Charles Babbage's prototype of the computer: The Age of Wonder is a fascinating ride through the history of British science during the Romantic period. Holmes tells us about the scientists and their lives, and the imprint of their discoveries on poetry and literature of that time, most notably the work of Coleridge, Wordsworth, Keats, Byron, and Mary Shelley.
emenendez1's review against another edition
3.0
Took me forever to read and for a reason. It is a difficult read! Too much accompanying information, too many details about the life of people, but I learned a lot and that is the important part.
scheu's review against another edition
4.0
A 2/3 interesting study of the gentleman scientists of the 18th century, and 1/3 not-as-interesting study of the Royal Society. Definitely worth checking out if you have an interest in the history of science.
audaciaray's review against another edition
3.0
I picked up this book because I saw it listed on several "best of 2009" lists, I've been on a history of science kick lately, and because anything about the Romantics gets me geekishly excited.
All of the scientists/explorers and their stories really came to life, and I feel like I understand a whole lot more about the birth of modern science and the exploration of the natural world, especially the way it was entangled with poetry and artistic creation. In this way, big chunks of the book read like a lively novel, which is a really engaging approach to the writing of history.
There were, however, some spots that just got too mired down in detail. Especially later in the book, there is a lot more stuff about the in-fighting in the scientific community and bickering over who did what first and who should be the president of this or that association. I found those details spectacularly boring and found myself skipping around a bit to bypass that detail. Some of the initial strong storytelling got a bit lost toward the end of the book, as Holmes tried to bring it all together and wrap it up. Although the conclusion of a historical period strongly tied to individual personalities is pretty obvious (spoiler: everyone dies), I felt like there could have been a bit more effort to bring the gap into the next generation of scientists, which include the Charleses Babbage and Darwin.
All of the scientists/explorers and their stories really came to life, and I feel like I understand a whole lot more about the birth of modern science and the exploration of the natural world, especially the way it was entangled with poetry and artistic creation. In this way, big chunks of the book read like a lively novel, which is a really engaging approach to the writing of history.
There were, however, some spots that just got too mired down in detail. Especially later in the book, there is a lot more stuff about the in-fighting in the scientific community and bickering over who did what first and who should be the president of this or that association. I found those details spectacularly boring and found myself skipping around a bit to bypass that detail. Some of the initial strong storytelling got a bit lost toward the end of the book, as Holmes tried to bring it all together and wrap it up. Although the conclusion of a historical period strongly tied to individual personalities is pretty obvious (spoiler: everyone dies), I felt like there could have been a bit more effort to bring the gap into the next generation of scientists, which include the Charleses Babbage and Darwin.