Modern science has deep roots in the knowledge of premodern civilizations. In its thought and practice, it grew from a wide range of ingredients that had their origin in cultures from many parts of the world. This book is among the very few that covers this larger world history of science, which remains largely unknown and under-appreciated.
Beginning with Egypt and Mesopotamia, the authors take up India and China, before continuing to Greece and Islam, then Mesoamerica, ending with Europe in the late Medieval and Renaissance periods. Each scientific culture is given its full due in terms of its historical evolution, its uniqueness in areas of concentration, technological advance, social and political institutions, economic conditions, and more.
Using a blend of factual history, revealing anecdotes, nontechnical explanation of concepts and principles, authors Montgomery and Kumar provide a much-needed set of histories that have each been elemental over time to scientific advance.AmazonAmazon UKBarnes & NobleiBooks