A brief history of science

From alchemy to DNA, from Pythagoras to Grand Unified Theories (GUTs), and from the music of the spheres to quantum physics, this is a complete introduction to the complexities of modern science and a historical survey of how we got there.

After an introduction from Richard Dawkins on the value of science and how you can appreciate it even if you don't have all the tools of the trade, the book tells the story of mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry, earth sciences and biology: the leaps of imagination, the dazzling intellectual virtuosity and the sheer hard work that has accompanied the pursuit of each subject.

With each chapter written by an expert and the key concepts, equations and discoveries explained with the help of feature boxes, illustrations and diagrams, this work seeks to reveal science for what it really is - an exciting quest, born out of mystery and wonder, to uncover the secrets of both the universe and ourselves. Contributors include Ian Stewart, Peter Ward, Nick Flowers, David Bradley, Jerold M.

Lowenstein and Adrienne L. Zihlman.