Reviews
"A real landmark. Finally, two first-rate academic historians-one a specialist in biological and earth sciences, one in physical sciences -both firmly committed to sociological, contextual approaches, offer an overview of their discipline for the beginning student."- Jon Turney, Times Higher Education Supplement, This clearly written and accessible work incorporates the recent historiographical trends in the history of biology and physics, with a view to revisiting classical themes in the history of science and to illuminating them in nuanced and interesting ways. . . . The book situates biological and physical knowledge within a myriad of socio-cultural contexts, such as religion, the state, economic theory, patronage, and war., At the same time that [Bowler and Morus] challenge our myths of scientific objectivity, however, they also challenge those who are too quick to despair of the possibility of better understanding our world. Making Modern Science provides a detailed and fascinating glimpse into the vibrant tradition of scientific inquiry that has so shaped our contemporary world. . . . Bowler and Morus have written an excellent historical survey that general readers and scholars alike will find rich and stimulating., A real landmark. Finally, two first-rate academic historians--one a specialist in biological and earth sciences, one in physical sciences --both firmly committed to sociological, contextual approaches, offer an overview of their discipline for the beginning student., "The book accomplishes the seemingly impossible task of introducing readers to what every student knows (or should) about modern science-the "textbook" histories of many of the most important developments in physics, biology, chemistry, and technology of the last 300 years-while at the same time using considerable historical and theoretical sophistication to bring out the complexities and ambiguities that undercut these myths. . . . Attractively illustrated and easy to use, the book explains difficult scientific and philosophical issues in brief and often surprisingly clear terms. . . . The field of history of science has been calling out for a book just like this one. Making Modern Science will be a great help in introductory courses and will provide important background for advanced courses. . . . Bowler and Morus's account will reward scientists who wish to see the history of their own field from a new and provocative perspective; students and teachers in need of a reliable introduction or a rapid brush-up; and readers with a general interest in the people, institutions, and concepts that have made science such a central aspect. . . . A timely, informative, challenging, and very welcome achievement.", A real landmark. Finally, two first-rate academic historians-one a specialist in biological and earth sciences, one in physical sciences -both firmly committed to sociological, contextual approaches, offer an overview of their discipline for the beginning student., "The book accomplishes the seemingly impossible task of introducing readers to what every student knows (or should) about modern science-the "textbook" histories of many of the most important developments in physics, biology, chemistry, and technology of the last 300 years-while at the same time using considerable historical and theoretical sophistication to bring out the complexities and ambiguities that undercut these myths. . . . Attractively illustrated and easy to use, the book explains difficult scientific and philosophical issues in brief and often surprisingly clear terms. . . . The field of history of science has been calling out for a book just like this one.Making Modern Sciencewill be a great help in introductory courses and will provide important background for advanced courses. . . . Bowler and Morus's account will reward scientists who wish to see the history of their own field from a new and provocative perspective; students and teachers in need of a reliable introduction or a rapid brush-up; and readers with a general interest in the people, institutions, and concepts that have made science such a central aspect. . . . A timely, informative, challenging, and very welcome achievement."-John Tresch,Science, "The book accomplishes the seemingly impossible task of introducing readers to what every student knows (or should) about modern science--the "textbook" histories of many of the most important developments in physics, biology, chemistry, and technology of the last 300 years--while at the same time using considerable historical and theoretical sophistication to bring out the complexities and ambiguities that undercut these myths. . . . Attractively illustrated and easy to use, the book explains difficult scientific and philosophical issues in brief and often surprisingly clear terms. . . . The field of history of science has been calling out for a book just like this one. Making Modern Science will be a great help in introductory courses and will provide important background for advanced courses. . . . Bowler and Morus's account will reward scientists who wish to see the history of their own field from a new and provocative perspective; students and teachers in need of a reliable introduction or a rapid brush-up; and readers with a general interest in the people, institutions, and concepts that have made science such a central aspect. . . . A timely, informative, challenging, and very welcome achievement.", At the same time that [Bowler and Morus] challenge our myths of scientific objectivity, however, they also challenge those who are too quick to despair of the possibility of better understanding our world.Making Modern Scienceprovides a detailed and fascinating glimpse into the vibrant tradition of scientific inquiry that has so shaped our contemporary world. . . . Bowler and Morus have written an excellent historical survey that general readers and scholars alike will find rich and stimulating.
