Shapin and Schaffer look at a key debate in the history of science, notably the 17th century dispute between the proto-chemist Robert Boyle and the phShapin and Schaffer look at a key debate in the history of science, notably the 17th century dispute between the proto-chemist Robert Boyle and the philosopher Thomas Hobbes over the nature of the vacuum and whether a new device (the air-pump) can actually achieve one. Using this debate as a case study, Shapin and Schaffer peel apart what it means to develop scientific facts, how evidence does or does not convince, the role of political context, and the relative merits and deficits to inductive and deductive modes of reasoning. Counterintuitively from a modern point of view, they argue that Hobbes, not Boyle, was in some sense "right." A classic in the field....more
An excellent academic overview of the history of 20th century physics. Kragh's book is notable for its depth, the fact that it takes great pains to beAn excellent academic overview of the history of 20th century physics. Kragh's book is notable for its depth, the fact that it takes great pains to be international in its coverage, and because the narrative it puts forward is an even mix of factual information and discussion of historical/methodological/interpretive disputes (of which there are many in the history of physics). As such it distinguishes itself greatly from practically all popular histories of physics, being much more in tune with the questions that academic historians of physics are interested in, and a much richer text as a result....more
This is one of the major methodological texts in the field, attempting to outline how scientific change occurs, what the role of the historian is in tThis is one of the major methodological texts in the field, attempting to outline how scientific change occurs, what the role of the historian is in talking about it, and how history is used as a resource in these scientific revolutions. While not all historians of science agree with Kuhn's model, it is considered a bedrock text that anyone who talks about the history of science must be familiar with....more
Covers the political and social dimensions of the Shin Nihon Chisso Corporation's dumping of organic mercury in and around Minamata, leading to two deCovers the political and social dimensions of the Shin Nihon Chisso Corporation's dumping of organic mercury in and around Minamata, leading to two decades of horrific human misery during Japan's postwar "economic miracle"....more
This is the definitive work of modern era Japan. Jansen's work is a chronicle of not just the rise of railroads, of factories, the modern firearm, eleThis is the definitive work of modern era Japan. Jansen's work is a chronicle of not just the rise of railroads, of factories, the modern firearm, electricity and gas, the telegraph, milk!, and other interesting developments of early modern Japan. He gives background, history, cultural and political analysis, event and timeline breakdowns and more. An expansive work that takes the reader through decades upon decades of Japanese development and progress that happened at break neck speeds, but can now be looked at retrospectively at our leisure, guided by Jansen's steady hand....more
Surprisingly enough, is not just a book on trains. It is definitely a must read for studies on the Meiji Period and the development going on at the tiSurprisingly enough, is not just a book on trains. It is definitely a must read for studies on the Meiji Period and the development going on at the time. It details the massive influx of modern technologies that various Japanese companies were more than happy to incorporate and invest resources into....more
A monumental business history that explains just how the American Transcontinentals snaked their way through the American West. Anyone preparing a stuA monumental business history that explains just how the American Transcontinentals snaked their way through the American West. Anyone preparing a study on railroads, unions, race-relations or land grants needs to read this book....more
An excellent survey work that focuses on the environmental history of Canada and, to a much lesser extent, Alaska. This is great for anyone looking toAn excellent survey work that focuses on the environmental history of Canada and, to a much lesser extent, Alaska. This is great for anyone looking to explore how settlement, economic, and scientific development were intertwined in Canada....more
This is a first hand account written by one of the scientist on the expedition to the South Pole. The book is impressive because of how disastrous andThis is a first hand account written by one of the scientist on the expedition to the South Pole. The book is impressive because of how disastrous and pointless their expedition turn out. Terrific examples of the conditions near the pole....more
A formidable classic on the Western Expansion and the age of exploration. Parry provides a dense but excellent description of how the west was able toA formidable classic on the Western Expansion and the age of exploration. Parry provides a dense but excellent description of how the west was able to conquer and their motivations. His section on the development of scientific navigation is particularly good....more
This book details how the world figured to procedure of finding longitudinal coordinates in the world. Great Britain offered a huge cash prize to anyoThis book details how the world figured to procedure of finding longitudinal coordinates in the world. Great Britain offered a huge cash prize to anyone able to work out a way to find longitude. Without a way to track longitude reliably, ships had been getting lost and running aground....more
A great relatively reader friendly history of the invention/discovery of gunpowder in Europe and the early developments of gunpowder and Greek Fire weA great relatively reader friendly history of the invention/discovery of gunpowder in Europe and the early developments of gunpowder and Greek Fire weaponry....more
The book traces a critical problem of representation in the Scientific Revolution, particularly relating to representing objects of scientific study iThe book traces a critical problem of representation in the Scientific Revolution, particularly relating to representing objects of scientific study in atlases. For example: when making an entry for oak trees in a botany book, what kind of picture should one include? No two oak trees will look the same (though they will look similar), so how does the artist draw it so that it can be easily recognized in real life by referencing the atlas? How do you draw something like cloud formations in an atlas to demonstrate the difference between Cirrus and Cumulus clouds, even though clouds are constantly changing shape? Daston and Galison do a great job explaining the context of these debates and anxieties and what they reveal about the practice of science....more
Biagioli shows how crucial the patron/client relationship was for scientists in early modern Europe - particularly for Galileo and his principal patroBiagioli shows how crucial the patron/client relationship was for scientists in early modern Europe - particularly for Galileo and his principal patron, Pope Urban VIII. Again, this is another work that unpacks the social networks that undergird(ed) scientific study....more
Shapin deftly argues that the practice of science in seventeenth-century England relied heavily on the reliable word of "experts" in a particular fielShapin deftly argues that the practice of science in seventeenth-century England relied heavily on the reliable word of "experts" in a particular field, as experiments were expensive and laborious to reproduce. Trust emerges as a critical element in the production of scientific knowledge, and Shapin demonstrates that what we assume to be objective in science often rests on this foundation of trust in the scientist (as it does in every academic field)....more
Latour does a good job at showing the social and cultural prerequisites necessary to encourage the French to accept Pasteur's microbes as revealed truLatour does a good job at showing the social and cultural prerequisites necessary to encourage the French to accept Pasteur's microbes as revealed truth, as well as the process by which these conditions are obscured in favor of the "Great Man" thesis....more
This book looks at the development of scientific culture in Europe, using early modern (northern) Italy as a case study. Cultural forces like patronagThis book looks at the development of scientific culture in Europe, using early modern (northern) Italy as a case study. Cultural forces like patronage and identity have large roles in proto-scientific circles....more
Blumenberg's well thought out discourse on the evolution of scientific exploration from the late 1800s' idea of universal knowledge to the mid-centuryBlumenberg's well thought out discourse on the evolution of scientific exploration from the late 1800s' idea of universal knowledge to the mid-century's patented scientific thought....more
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