The Age of Wonder
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| Author | Richard Holmes |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | History of Science |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | HarperCollins |
Publication date | 2008 |
| Pages | 554 pp |
| ISBN | 978-0-00-714952-0 |
The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science is a 2008 popular science book about the history of science written by Richard Holmes. In it, the author describes the scientific discoveries of the polymaths of the late eighteenth century, and describes how this period formed the basis for modern scientific discoveries.[1] It won the 2009 Royal Society Prize for Science Books.[2] and the 2009 National Book Critics Circle Award for General Nonfiction.
Overview
In this book, Holmes focuses particularly on the work of Sir Joseph Banks, William Herschel and Humphry Davy. The book also describes the relationships between the scientists of that time, and the early days of the Royal Society.[3]
Reception
The book received very good reviews, with Mike Jay of the Daily Telegraph writing: "Scientists, like poets, need a sense of wonder, a sense of humility and a sense of humour. Holmes has all three in abundance".[4] Peter Forbes of The Independent wrote of the book:
"Its heart – the linked stories of Banks, Herschel and Davy – is thrilling: a portrait of bold adventure among the stars, across the oceans, deep into matter, poetry and the human psyche"[5]