Format:
1 online resource (305 pages)
ISBN:
9780191513022
Content:
In Leaps in the Dark, John Waller presents another collection of revelations from the world of science. He considers experiments in which scientists' perceptions were not perhaps as keen as they might have claimed in retrospect; he investigates the jealousy and opposition that scientific ideas can provoke; he celebrates the scientists who were wrong, but for very good reasons; and he demonstrates how national interest can affect scientists and their theories. The result is. an entertaining and highly readable re-examination of scientific discoveries and reputations from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. - ;In Leaps in the Dark, John Waller presents another collection of revelations from the world of science. He considers experiments in which the scientists' awareness was not perhaps as keen as they might have claimed in retrospect; he investigates the jealousy and opposition that scientific ideas can provoke; he celebrates the scientists who were wrong, but for very good reasons; and he demonstrates how national interest can affect scientists and their theories. The result is. an entertaining and highly readable re-examination of scientific discoveries and reputations from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. The tales in Leaps in the Dark range across a wide historical field, from a seventeenth-century witch-finder, Joseph Glanvill, to Sir Robert Watson-Watt, the self-proclaimed 'Father of radar'. Each story underscores the rich, fascinating complexity of scientific discovery. Writing in a clear and engaging style, and skilfully weaving history in with the science, John Waller brings these scientists to life, illustrating how their work and their discoveries influenced their careers and. the wider world around them. - ;Leaps in the Dark is a good read, and ought to generate much healthy debate. - Nature.
Content:
Intro -- Contents -- List of illustrations -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction: The past really is another country -- Part One: Falling from grace -- 1 Joseph Glanvill: scientific witch-finder -- 2 The man who made underpants for frogs -- 3 Pettenkofer's poisoned chalice -- Part Two: Eureka! revisited -- 4 Sir Isaac Newton and the meaning of light -- 5 Dr James Lind and the Navy's scourge -- 6 The destruction of Ignaz Semmelweis -- Part Three: Heroes made to measure -- 7 Will the real Johann Weyer please stand up? -- 8 Philippe Pinel: the reforging of a chain-breaker -- Part Four: Do-it-yourself heroes -- 9 The first casualty of war -- 10 Rank hath its privileges -- Conclusion: The bigger picture -- Further reading -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y -- Z.
Note:
Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources
Additional Edition:
ISBN 9780192804846
Additional Edition:
Erscheint auch als Druck-Ausgabe Waller, John Leaps in the dark Oxford [u.a.] : Oxford University Press, 2004 ISBN 0192804847
Additional Edition:
Print version Leaps in the Dark : The Making of Scientific Reputations
Language:
English
Subjects:
Natural Sciences
Keywords:
Naturwissenschaften
;
Entdeckung
;
Geschichte
;
Naturwissenschaftler
;
Naturwissenschaftler
;
Prestige
;
Geschichte
;
Biografie
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