Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#81

Post by solarmist » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 6:28 AM UTC

dandare wrote: post #41

antwerp1 wrote: post #6

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn

Not Kuhn's fault, but this book started a different kind of revolution: > Postmodernists interpreted Thomas Kuhn's ideas about scientific paradigms to mean that scientific theories are social constructs, and philosophers like Paul Feyerabend argued that other, non-realist forms of knowledge production were better suited to serve people's personal and spiritual needs. > Kuhn described the development of scientific kno…

Heh. I take it as a compliment about how powerful his ideas were. But yeah, some serious overreaching with some of his ideas.

“Fanboys going all in on an idea and applying it to everything” kinda thing.

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#82

Post by solarmist » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 6:32 AM UTC

wolverine876 wrote: post #56

dev-3892 wrote: post #53

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn

A seminal, perspective-shifting book, but not a general history of science. Also, one historian of science that I spoke to said it was a bit outdated now (as of ~10 years ago).

Everyone knows the term paradigm shift, but this book is still worth reading for the depth and thoughtfulness in exploring it and its implications.

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#83

Post by brg » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 7:07 AM UTC

I would very much suggest both biographical and idea focused sources.

For me, the absolute best written is Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes. It covers a large swatch of British Science from Newton to Maxwell.

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#84

Post by mariedavid » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 8:29 AM UTC

jleyank wrote: post #3

You have to like his writing style but bill Bryson’s short history of everything. James burke’s day the universe changed is thought provoking and bronowski’s ascent of man is also good. Timothy Ferris (not that one) and John gribbin have also trod this area.

Thanks, I have heard a lot about Bill Bryson but never took the time to read it. I will start with this one.

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#85

Post by mariedavid » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 8:33 AM UTC

fsloth wrote: post #36

For "serious" studies - for mathematics there are lot of really good books that go through the evolution of the methodologies over the centuries - I've read David Bressoud's "Calculus Reordered" and John Stillwell's "Mathematics and it's history" and can recommend both. For physics the field is so wide it's hard to pinpoint where to start. On Quantum Physics Jim Baggot's "The meaning of Quantum Theory" is the best in…

Thanks, I'll add the John Stillwell book to my reading list. And thanks for the idea of watching the newer "Cosmos" series. I'm always looking for ideas for shows to watch with my son!

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#86

Post by mariedavid » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 8:34 AM UTC

culi wrote: post #63

If you want to be really challenged, I'd highly recommend checking out The Tyranny of Science by Paul K. Feyerabend.[0] Whether you agree with the points made or not, you'll definitely learn a lot and realize a lot even from arguing against his points. [0] https://www.wiley.com/en-us/The+Tyranny+of+Science-p-9780745...

Thanks, I had read some Feyerabend essays a few years ago. This is indeed instead thought provoking.

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#87

Post by mariedavid » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 8:36 AM UTC

bretthopper wrote: post #33

The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood by James Gleick This is specific to "Information, communication, and information theory." but it's still quite broad and a great read.

I loved this book when I read it indeed. Really comprehensive and smart.

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#88

Post by mariedavid » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 8:36 AM UTC

mjac wrote: post #61

The Faber Book of Science by John Carey I’m a professional HN lurker but I can’t not contribute this one. The book all scientists should have read and would love, but haven’t heard about… “The editor of the internationally acclaimed Eyewitness to History now charts the development of modern science. In this first anthology of its kind, Carey chooses accounts by scientists themselves--astronomers and physicists, biolo…

I'll add this one to my list, thanks !

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#89

Post by mariedavid » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 8:38 AM UTC

rg111 wrote: post #37

- The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson is a great book that taught me a lot. It covers the gradual discovery of computers from Babbage and comes to modern ages. I highly recommend it. This book is also very fun to read. - Seven Brief Lessons in Physics by Carlo Rovelli is a brief, enjoyable, and great read. This book is good for both layperson a…

Thanks for all your recomendations, especially the BBC documentary. I'm really interested in Gödel and Cantor.

Re: Ask HN: Any recommendation for a good History of Science book?

#90

Post by mariedavid » Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 8:50 AM UTC

stillblue wrote: post #76

This thread was like walking into a candy store on a Monday morning! Hearty thanks for all your recommendations. Time to go hoard!!!!!!

Yes, I didn't expect so many answers !! I have a whole page of reading recommendations now. Just have to choose where to start.