The Beginnings of Western Science: The European Scientific Tradition in Philosophical, Religious, and Institutional Context, Prehistory to A.D. 1450 (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: sublunar region, intromission theory, visual cone, Middle Ages, The Medieval Cosmos, The Revival (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is the best history of ancient and medieval science that has been written for many years. It will replace the smaller two volumes by G.E.R. Lloyd, Early Greek Science: Thales to Aristotle (Norton, 1971) and Greek Science After Aristotle ( LJ 1/15/74). Lindberg's book not only reflects more recent research but is also much easier to read and provides major themes more clearly. Delineating 2000 years of science in all its varieties, from the physical sciences and mathematics to medicine and biology, Lindberg provides social, intellectual, and religious background and shows each development or theme in its appropriate historical context. The book is geared toward interested and educated lay readers and college students, who can use it as an introductory textbook on the early history of science. It is extensively illustrated and has a very good 35-page bibliography, making it a useful reference source as well. Highly recommended for most libraries.
- Eric D. Albright, Galter Health Sciences Lib., Northwestern Univ., Chicago
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

"As entertaining and educational as that organized by the best tour operator." - Charles Burnett, New York Times Book Review "Solidly based on a competent knowledge of a huge variety of primary sources and secondary studies, engagingly written, and well produced, it provides us for the first time with an authoritative account of Western science from its beginnings to the height of medieval scientific achievement." - Richard C. Dales, American Historical Review"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 2 edition (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226482057
• ISBN-13: 978-0226482057
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,031 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #16 in	Books > Science > Chemistry > General & Reference
  #39 in	Books > Science > History & Philosophy > History of Science
  #75 in	Books > History > Ancient

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly the best ancient/medieval science text that exists!, May 31, 2001

By	Matt (Lincoln, Nebraska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beginnings of Western Science: The European Scientific Tradition in Philosophical, Religious, and Institutional Context, 600 B.C. to A.D. 1450 (Paperback)

I read the Beginnings of Western Sceince as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where I had the extreme priviledge of taking two history of science courses from the author, who is also an absolutely outstanding professor. (And also one of the two or three most knowledgeable people in the world in the history of medieval science) This is by far the most comprehensive text on the history of ancient and medieval science that is out there. You might not believe it, but there aren't even a lot of other texts that cover half of what is discussed here period, let alone any that are this polished and concise. This book not only covers the development of western science from ancient times throught the Middle Ages, but it also considers the religious, and philosophical roots of this development. This book is masterfully written in that it provides a tremendous amount of detail, and yet is accessible to anyone that is an educated and interested reader. I cannot recommend this text highly enough.

Also Recommended: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn

In his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Thomas Kuhn discusses the importance of history and its relationship to science, the changing views of how historians view past scientific achievements, the role of scientific method in science, and the nature and foundations of scientific revolutions.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Class Material, April 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Beginnings of Western Science: The European Scientific Tradition in Philosophical, Religious, and Institutional Context, 600 B.C. to A.D. 1450 (Paperback)

I read this book as a student for my History of Scientific Thought Class. This text was an excellent addition to the course work that included discussions about scientific thinking, discovery and revolutions, Greek philosophy and nature, Medieval cosmology and it's assimilation of Plato and Aristotle. Lindberg also pictured works of art that helped discuss the science and thinking of the times. The other texts that, as a class, were discussed along with Lindberg were Leonard Schlain's Art and Physics and Arthur Koestler's The Sleepwalkers and Thomas Kuhn's THe Structure of Scientific Revolutions.

23 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book by a great professor, November 1, 2000

By	Aaron Louis DeMichael (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Beginnings of Western Science: The European Scientific Tradition in Philosophical, Religious, and Institutional Context, 600 B.C. to A.D. 1450 (Hardcover)

I had to read this book because I'm currently taking a history of science class taught by the author at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and I just want to say it's excellent. It is clear, concise and (best of all from a student's point of view) not boring. It teaches you so much about looking at things in context. This is a great book from a great professor.