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A History of the Sciences Reissue Edition

by Stephen F. Mason (Author)

4.3 6 ratings

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The evolution of scientific inquiry and ideas since the time of the ancient Babylonians and the influence of modern cultural and technological convictions and expectations on contemporary research are examined

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Macmillan General Reference; Reissue edition (March 1, 1962)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 638 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0020934009
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0020934004
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4 x 1.5 x 7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,340,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #8,299 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)
- #18,227 in Science & Mathematics
- #101,451 in Unknown

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lala

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2016

It was an ok book.

Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2016

Thank you!

Waiting for an Inspiring Vivid Review of a Great History of Science

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2008

Science and History:
Science is a human activity which helped develop a cumulative tradition of inter related techniques, of empirical knowledge, and theoritical postulates, with reference to the natural world. Professor stephen Mason proposes two primary sources for the historical roots in Science, the practical experiences and skills handed on and developed from one generation to another; future aspirations and novel ideas adopted and expanded. Those traditions existed before civilization were established. Defining what science has presented and has historically accomplished, he finds it difficult to formulate a definition which holds for all times, in different places. Behind the changing character of science throughout the ages, he debates, there has been a sense of continuity, for the generations of each period have developed and enlarged some aspects of the science handed down to them.

Scientific Thought:
A History of the Sciences originally appeared under the title, "Main Currents of Scientific Thought," with the same chapters;
Part 1. Ancient Science
Part 2. Science In the Orient and Medieval Europe
Part 3. The Scientific Revolution of the 16th and 17th Centuries
Part 4. 18th-Century Science:Development of National Scientific Traditions
Part 5. 19th Century: The Agent of Industrial and Intellectual Change
Part 6. Twentieth-Century Science New Fields and New Powers
Dr. Mason makes evident the influence of philosophical and theological conceptions on scientific inquiry, and in telling his story and also exhibits the roles played by social and technological needs in determining the direction of scientific research. The book's core is determined to be in the modern period; though it provides an admirable historical perspective for appreciating the important intellectual and practical problems facing us as a result of the continuing expansion of the scientific enterprise.

Book Praise:
"In my judgment, it is by far the best one-volume account in English of the development of the natural sciences. It presents an illuminating and highly readable survey of the growth of scientific ideas from ancient to contemporary achievements, and it includes much material not readily accessible otherwise on the contributions only recently discovered of Babylonian, Oriental as well as Medieval science." Ernest Nagel, author of The Structure of Science

Science History Perfected:
Sarton, the eminent authority on the history of science, considers that science is unique as a truly cumulative and progressive human activity. But only a side of science has been cumulative up to the present time, its practical techniques and its empirical concepts and laws. Viewed within a long time scale, the theories of science have been transitory.
Similarly, given a continuance of the present pace of scientific research activity and discoveries, we can hardly suppose that only the fundamental scientific theories of today will remain holding for long.
Professor Mason started rewriting his History of the Sciences 1953, I hope he releases the first part and endorse the history with visual aids, including maps, photos and drawings.

Eminent Author:
Stephen F. Mason worked on his Ph. D. at Oxford University, whereafter he taught chemistry and the history of science (1947-1953). He was then a Research Fellow in the Wellcome Institute, London. In l956 he moved to a lectureship in physical organic chemistry at Exeter University holding Readership in chemical spectroscopy. He was Professor of Chemistry at King's College London (1970-1988). From l988 he has been Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of London, and Honorary Research Associate in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Cambridge. Since completing his Chemical Evolution (1991)

8 people found this helpful

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Ronald Ranvaud

Near retirement

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2013

I read this book for the first time twenty five years ago, and have read it again three times since then. Every time I found new insight on how it all fits together, and how science and technology found common ground and mutually interacted through the ages, getting us where we are. The establishment of scientific societies, and the consequences, was particularly illuminating. I have also used the book for specific revisions to prepare classes and have recommended it to students, who invariably were enthralled by it, a notable example being the circulation of the blood, chapter 19. All the technical content that I have some competence in was treated perfectly accurately in the book. The language flows and in the most economic and elegant way lays out the information in a critical and objective way, so that it is a real pleasure, every time.

4 people found this helpful

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Thomas Riggins

Perfect for non-scientists

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2001

This is the best one volume work available covering the entire history of science from Ancient Egypt to the 20th Century (including non-Western civilizations). Mason avoids technical jargon and relates science to the everyday world as well as to the world of theory. The book is meant for non-specialists and will give anyone who reads it a real understanding of what science is all about and why it is important.

9 people found this helpful

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