The History of Science from Augustine to Galileo

Rating:
Summary: An excellent account of the evolution of science.
Review: This is a very widely encompassing account of the evolution and development of science through history. The considerations of the sociopolitical and philosophical climates pertaining to the times gives the reader a basis of understanding why science progressed as it did. The account is very well organised and lucid, although it fails in some aspects to consider the contributions of the Far Eastern civilizations. It makes a very valuable contribution to help appreciate acutely the value of those who contributed to science's development.

Rating:
Summary: Thorough contribution to our understanding
Review: Unlike a number of books I've read recently on science history, A.C. Crombie's work is simply a thorough survey of the field. The History of Science From Augustine To Galileo is a richly detailed account of the major fields of thought in natural philosophy, as well as advances in technology and medicine. Though the writing style is slightly dated by now, the resulting text is still quite readable.

The breadth of topics is particularly impressive. Although the bulk of attention is given to natural philosophy, the discussion of technical achievements is fairly rich. There is little, if anything, overlooked here.

Crombie spends the bulk of the text in covering the change in scientific thinking over the span of time presented. In this he has demonstrated his skill in historical writing, smoothly taking us through the centuries without the feel of jumping abruptly from one era to the next. We see history as a changing process, not as a series of jumps. Although there are newer texts that are more up to date on the latest historical theories, and ones that probably are of more use to a newcomer to the field, Crombie's text is clearly valuable to anyone seeking a broad analytical understanding of the major philosophical developments in science up to the scientific revolution.