6. Getting inside mathematics
Jacqueline Stedall
in The History of Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction
Who invented algebra? Who invented calculus? ‘Getting inside mathematics’ looks at the possible answers to these questions alongside the introduction of mathematical notation and the ...
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5. A true hermetic philosopher
Rob Iliffe
in Newton: A Very Short Introduction
‘A true hermetic philosopher’ explains how alchemy enjoyed a chequered reputation by the middle of the seventeenth century. It was part of a larger practice that was termed ‘chymistry’. In ...
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4. Some things we know, some things we don’t
Keith Thomson
in Fossils: A Very Short Introduction
‘Some things we know, some things we don't’ illustrates that palaeontology is a dynamic science because we still only know the fossil record imperfectly. The understanding that certain ...
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1. Introduction
Keith Thomson
in Fossils: A Very Short Introduction
The ‘Introduction’ outlines the aims of the book: to show what fossils are, to explain some of the concepts and principles upon which the study of fossils is based, and to discuss the ...
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5. Astronomy in the age of Newton
Michael Hoskin
in The History of Astronomy: A Very Short Introduction
The transformation in thinking about the how the planets relate to the Sun was followed by a whole change in understanding of the how the universe worked. Aristotle, the dominant figure in ...
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7. The divine book
Rob Iliffe
in Newton: A Very Short Introduction
‘The divine book’ examines the development of Newton's thinking about celestial motions. By November 1685 he had completed a draft of the Principia. In the first book — the ‘Lectiones’ — he ...
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5. Mathematical livelihoods
Jacqueline Stedall
in The History of Mathematics: A Very Short Introduction
Over the centuries, there have been significant changes in the ways that mathematicians have been employed. A modern mathematician is very likely to work in education, finance, or industry, ...
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Introduction
David Muir Wood
in Civil Engineering: A Very Short Introduction
The term civil engineering has been used for rather more than 200 years. This ‘Introduction’ explores how civil engineering emerged as that branch of engineering concerned with the creation ...
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3. Gases and atoms
William H. Brock
in The History of Chemistry: A Very Short Introduction
Until the mid-18th century, chemists had no understanding of the role of air in chemical changes. The Chemical Revolution was not merely conceptual, but also instrumental in that it ...
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3. The marvellous years
Rob Iliffe
in Newton: A Very Short Introduction
‘The marvellous years’ describes Newton's years at Cambridge. The first decades of the seventeenth century witnessed an exponential growth in the understanding of the Earth and heavens, a ...
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Newton: A Very Short Introduction
Rob Iliffe
Newton: A Very Short Introduction introduces Newton's scientific studies in fields ranging from physics, astronomy, and mathematics, to alchemy. It also examines his ...
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4. The censorious multitude
Rob Iliffe
in Newton: A Very Short Introduction
‘The censorious multitude’ describes how, since its foundation in 1660, the Royal Society had fashioned what was effectively an official position regarding the best way to perform and write ...
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4. The sublunar world
Lawrence M. Principe
in The Scientific Revolution: A Very Short Introduction
‘The sublunar world’ explores how the early modern view of the world moved on from Aristotle's teachings. Nicholas Steno found that layers of rock provided information about the earth's ...
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2. A cultural phenomenon
Keith Thomson
in Fossils: A Very Short Introduction
‘A cultural phenomenon’ discusses the history of the understanding and explanation of fossils beginning with the work of English scientist Robert Hooke in the 17th century. His work ...
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5. The microcosm and the living world
Lawrence M. Principe
in The Scientific Revolution: A Very Short Introduction
‘The microcosm and the living world’ explores early modern thought on the human body and biology. Astrology had a large influence on early modern medicine, guiding personalised treatment ...
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6. Building a world of science
Lawrence M. Principe
in The Scientific Revolution: A Very Short Introduction
‘Building a world of science’ outlines how early modern scientific thought was applied to the real world problems of the day. The emergence of gunpowder on the battlefield made castles ...
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6. Bringing fossils to life
Keith Thomson
in Fossils: A Very Short Introduction
‘Bringing fossils to life’ llustrates one ambitious aim of palaeontology: to understand what the fossil organisms were like in life — to reconstruct their appearance, their mechanical and ...
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9. Lord and master of all
Rob Iliffe
in Newton: A Very Short Introduction
‘Lord and master of all’ describes how Newton's election to President of the Royal Society in November 1703 reignited his interest in natural philosophy. His Opticks appeared in February ...
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4. Seismic waves
Mike Goldsmith
in Waves: A Very Short Introduction
Sound waves travel very easily underground, often for many thousands of kilometres. These are usually referred to as a kind of seismic wave and are most often triggered by earthquakes, ...
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3. The superlunar world
Lawrence M. Principe
in The Scientific Revolution: A Very Short Introduction
‘The superlunar world’ outlines the astronomical developments of the scientific revolution. Ancient thinkers such as Plato and Ptolemy originated the ideas of planetary orbital spheres and ...
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