Rating: 
Summary: Fanfare for the Common Man
Review: *This is a book to be read and enjoyed by those with only a cursory knowledge of history, science or art. The author offers a breezy, descriptive yet very informative explication of the seven events that he considers have "changed the universe."
If "changing the universe" means the way we as humans look at or perceive the universe then he succeeded admirably. The events cited - evolution, perspective, relativity or heliocentric astronomy - changed the way we thought not only of our species but ourselves and our beliefs. It is only natural that so many of these advances accompanied the Industrial Revolution which accompanied a scientific and political revolution that allowed backward Europe to dominate the world.Many of these transformations were invoked by heroes who shall forever remain unknown. Some of these are still affecting us. Comparing the TV series and the book is difficult but it is apparent that the book followed the excellent series - not the other way around. There are excellent maps, charts, pictures and diagrams throughout and the cover shot sums the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Acute Insight but Too Ambitious
Review: 1. A good eyeopenner for an unconventional way of looking at the history of science.
2. Revealing in the sense that it looks at trends instead of individual incidents.
3. However suffers from its ambition to wrap entire European history of science in one book, hence appear to jump into rash conclusions.
4. But note it started from a BBC series, hence if we read it as if watching TV, it is adequately informative judging by educational programme standard.
5. Burke as a British is biasis in the claim to study how the 'universe' changed in only looking at European history; he touched on Islamic and Chinese discoveries but without expanding how culture changed in such other parts of the world, contradicting his title claim.
6. Burke's central theme is to argue some incidental scientific or natural events in history decicively atlered the course of history; an interesting view, an acute insight and even revealing theory, but tend to ignore the natural cultural development which build up through history to teach us to behave the way we do; cultural and religious inter-influence between tribes and races and downplayed in expence of arguing for the importance of scientic advancement.
7. Nevertheless a good book to read, clear illustrations, and not difficult to comprehend.
Rating:
Summary: We stand on the shoulders of giants
Review: An engaging narrative of the evolution of thought, illustrating that we cannot know certain truths until other verities have given us the tools to even SEE the new perspective. It is remarkable how simple scientific discoveries can force a change in society and a new path for history. Familiar and no-so-familiar bits of history take on new meaning when their technological context is revealed. Burke is an accomplished story teller, making the dry history we dreaded take on a new life when we can see that new choices demanded new regimes.
Rating:
Summary: Heisenberg at work in real life
Review: Burke's reminder that what we see depends on what we "know" changed the way I approach every area of life. As an historian, there's a lot about what we know happened that made no rational sense until I learned to see it through the eyes of the
people who were there.
Any time you define something too precisely, you risk missiing
the bits that don't fit your mental image. Burke will help you
break that pattern. Stellar stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Best Of Burke
Review: Having read Burke's previous efforts, I was prepared to be entertained and amazed at how seemingly unrelated thoughts and developments came together to move history and innovation forward - but this book exceeded my expectations! Another reveiwer commented (accurately) that Burke gives religion a pretty rough time, it must also be said that he gives an incredible perspective on how much impact religious thought impacted people's freedom to think, and how those places tolerant of fresh thinking attracted (and benefitted from) thinking people. The same is shown to be true of political freedom, economic freedom, and, well, you get the picture...freedoms made great differences. Burke does a fabulous job of providing meaningful context to innovation and innovators. He also demonstrates that a lot of innovation was not pursued, but rather occurred almost by accident - two things sitting next to each other for the first time, and someone decides to combine them! If you don't read any of his other books, be sure to read this one! I have only one bit of advice when reading it - pace yourself - it is much too good to rush, so savor it...
Rating:
Summary: Changed the way I think...about thinking
Review: I disagree with earlier reviews saying that there is no cohesive message. Burke's message is more about how history happens, than history itself. Burke turns history on it's ear by looking at the way things happen. How they change history in directions people would never have thought of. Kinda makes you wonder what we are doing today that will change tomorrow.
Rating:
Summary: Makes you wonder!
Review: I enjoyed reading the book, but I did had to read it quite a few times. I was not familiar with Burke's styles of writing and the way he explains things so it was a bit confusing for me to understand. Once I read it long enough and started to ponder on the things he'd mentioned in his book, it eventually made sense to me. A good reading without a doubt!
Rating:
Summary: Thorough explanation
Review: I read this book not as a scientific work. But more likely as fantastic, story book for a child who`s hungry of knowledge. This IS a great work. It contains thorough study, information about how our world changed. But unfortunately, I don`t like the bottom line. I am a muslim, and I still feel that my religion teach not only empty theology, such as man becomes god (or the reverse?), but science as well. I kind a like the way he wrote that the Islamic world has a role too inthis world. But he didn`t state, why. Well, he is a western guy, that makes the real feeling of a muslim could not be understood. Anyway, I like this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but rables just a bit
Review: I was introduced to James Burke through a class while in college. We read the book and saw every video in the series that went along with it. It was very interesting to see how unrelated events are connected and how things we do now were set in motion years past. It really makes you think
Rating:
Summary: One of the Most Significant books written
Review: James Burke, a superior communicator, takes you back to those moments when a sudden idea completely changes the entire manner in which everyone in the world perceives and understands an idea.
One night, the World is flat. At sunrise, the World is finally percieved to be round with consequences that may take centuries to evolve and fathom. One of the greatest books I've ever read. May also be available on video for schools. Drags you into the realization that everything you know today is wrong! Fantastic!
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