A review by swoody788
The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science by Richard Holmes

4.0

Absolutely fascinating. I loved learning more about the people of this era who were only names to me before. The details of Joseph Banks' escapades in Tahiti, the astronomical discoveries of William and Caroline Herschel, and the almost tragic life of Humphrey Davy were especially enthralling. It was obvious that Holmes meticulously researched every detail and has a great love for these historical figures, and I appreciated the insightful conclusions he drew based on his knowledge, as well as his wit in relaying this story. Aside from some new role models (you must learn about Caroline Herschel if you haven't already!), the greatest thing I gained from this book is the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder about the world (which was the author's goal, I think), as that can lead to marvelous discoveries. 4.5 stars