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brendan_h's review against another edition
4.0
The first time since High School I've had more than glancing contact with the physical sciences... and it kicked ass.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
A very well-written history of the development of scientific inquiry at the intersection with the Romantic era in literature and art. The foundations of the modern scientist and disciplines of astronomy, chemistry, physics, botany, etc., all date from this period (mid-18th century to early 19th) and it was very interesting to see how many "men of science" also wrote poems/prose (i.e. Sir Humphrey Davy) and how many "men of letters" also dabbled in science (i.e. Coleridge). Additionally, Caroline Herschel (sister of Sir William Herschel) was a major historical figure in this book which was so good to see because the contributions of women to science are very often overlooked (cf. Rosalind Franklin in the race to find the structure of DNA) and Caroline's astronomical work was essential in mapping stars and comets.
I was also quite pleased to find that explanations of scientific theories weren't "dumbed down" in the text. And there were pictures and diagrams :)
I was also quite pleased to find that explanations of scientific theories weren't "dumbed down" in the text. And there were pictures and diagrams :)
barium_squirrel's review against another edition
5.0
This is the most interesting non-fiction book I've read in years. It is a series of mini-biographies tying together to form a portrait of the scientific world at the turn of the 19th century. The portions about Sir Humphrey Davey were especially interesting.
60degreesn's review against another edition
5.0
Starts great, weaker finish - but a fantastic lively group biography.
tiffanie39e8e's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
4.0
bxferg13's review against another edition
3.0
While interesting, I think he relies too much on case studies to reflect the whole. Not as well balanced as I would like in my history books.
beckydham's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I really loved this one. It was long, but each section stands alone. The stuff I never knew about ballooning, 18th-century laughing gas parties...also makes me want to read more poetry--which is unusual!
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
4.0
In some ways, I don’t think this book was particularly successful in its stated aim of linking the scientists and poets of the romantic age in terms of philosophy, hopes, and beliefs. However, I immensely enjoyed the in-depth biographies of some of the leading scientists of the time that I was virtually ignorant of: Joseph Banks, William and Caroline Herschel, and Humphry Davy in particular. So I enjoyed it more as a snapshot of the science of the time and as a focus on these leading scientists than as a reflection on the goals stated in the subtitle. (Side note: I listened to an audio version and it was over 20 hours long. Much too long for the few hours a week I dedicate to audio books!)
paladintodd's review against another edition
3.0
For the word being right there in the title, there just wasn't much "wonder" in this book. While science/history reading is made better by including the human element involved, this book got bogged down in too much minutia of the personal lives - where they lived, how they grew up, who their parents were.
danchibnall's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the finest non-fiction books I have read in years. I tend to read non-fiction more than fiction and I simply could not put this book down. Holmes does a superb job of weaving the romantic art, poetry, and writing of the 18th and 19th centuries with the growing love of science. He successfully shows you just how science became so important in people's lives and how it made our world better in the process. The giants of scientific history that he focuses on (Banks, Herschel, Davy, Faraday, etc.) are not just interesting because of their accomplishments, but because of their deep passion for the natural world. That is Holmes gift to the reader: successfully showing you just how passionate people can be about the universe around them.
If you are a fan of scientific history, this book is a must-read.
If you are a fan of scientific history, this book is a must-read.