Horizons

A Global History of Science

By James Poskett | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

About the book

'Superb' Sunday Times
'Revolutionary' Alice Roberts
'Hugely important' Jim Al-Khalili

_______________


A radical retelling of the history of science that foregrounds the scientists erased from history

In this major retelling of the history of science from 1450 to the present day, James Poskett explodes the myth that science began in Europe.

The blinkered Western gaze focusing on individual 'genius' - Copernicus, Newton, Darwin, Einstein - was only one part of the story. The reality was an utterly global, non-linear pattern of cross-fertilization, competition, cooperation and outright conflict. Each rupture in history carved fresh channels for global exchange.

Here, for the first time, Poskett celebrates how scientists from Africa, America, Asia and the Pacific were integral to this very human story. We meet Graman Kwasi, the African botanist who discovered a new cure for malaria; Hantaro Nagaoka, the Japanese scientist who first described the structure of the atom; and Zhao Zhongyao, the Chinese physicist who discovered antimatter.

_______________


'Remarkable. Challenges almost everything we know about science in the West' Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in 12 Maps

'Perspective-shattering' Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller, 'Editor's Choice'

'Horizons upends traditional accounts of the history of science' Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred

'Poskett deftly blends the achievements of little-known figures into the wider history of science . . . brims with clarity' Chris Allnutt, Financial Times

Editions of Horizons

Paperback
ISBN 9780241986264
Paperback
ISBN 9780241394106
EBook
ISBN 9780241394113
AudioStreaming
ISBN 9780241994771

Read an Excerpt

'Superb' Sunday Times
'Revolutionary' Alice Roberts
'Hugely important' Jim Al-Khalili

_______________


A radical retelling of the history of science that foregrounds the scientists erased from history

In this major retelling of the history of science from 1450 to the present day, James Poskett explodes the myth that science began in Europe.

The blinkered Western gaze focusing on individual 'genius' - Copernicus, Newton, Darwin, Einstein - was only one part of the story. The reality was an utterly global, non-linear pattern of cross-fertilization, competition, cooperation and outright conflict. Each rupture in history carved fresh channels for global exchange.

Here, for the first time, Poskett celebrates how scientists from Africa, America, Asia and the Pacific were integral to this very human story. We meet Graman Kwasi, the African botanist who discovered a new cure for malaria; Hantaro Nagaoka, the Japanese scientist who first described the structure of the atom; and Zhao Zhongyao, the Chinese physicist who discovered antimatter.

_______________


'Remarkable. Challenges almost everything we know about science in the West' Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in 12 Maps

'Perspective-shattering' Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller, 'Editor's Choice'

'Horizons upends traditional accounts of the history of science' Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred

'Poskett deftly blends the achievements of little-known figures into the wider history of science . . . brims with clarity' Chris Allnutt, Financial Times

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Horizons about?

'Superb' Sunday Times
'Revolutionary' Alice Roberts
'Hugely important' Jim Al-Khalili

_______________


A radical retelling of the history of science that foregrounds the scientists erased from history

In this major retelling of the history of science from 1450 to the present day, James Poskett explodes the myth that science began in Europe.

The blinkered Western gaze focusing on individual 'genius' - Copernicus, Newton, Darwin, Einstein - was only one part of the story. The reality was an utterly global, non-linear pattern of cross-fertilization, competition, cooperation and outright conflict. Each rupture in history carved fresh channels for global exchange.

Here, for the first time, Poskett celebrates how scientists from Africa, America, Asia and the Pacific were integral to this very human story. We meet Graman Kwasi, the African botanist who discovered a new cure for malaria; Hantaro Nagaoka, the Japanese scientist who first described the structure of the atom; and Zhao Zhongyao, the Chinese physicist who discovered antimatter.

_______________


'Remarkable. Challenges almost everything we know about science in the West' Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in 12 Maps

'Perspective-shattering' Caroline Sanderson, The Bookseller, 'Editor's Choice'

'Horizons upends traditional accounts of the history of science' Rebecca Wragg Sykes, author of Kindred

'Poskett deftly blends the achievements of little-known figures into the wider history of science . . . brims with clarity' Chris Allnutt, Financial Times

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Horizons?

Mathematics and Science > Science: general issues > History of science

Where can I read a sample of Horizons?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241986264

How long is Horizons and how many pages does it have?

Horizons has 464 page(s)

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Horizons?

James Poskett

Who is the Publisher of the book Horizons?

Penguin Books Ltd

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Horizons is available as paperback(ISBN 9780241986264) and paperback(ISBN 9780241394106) and ebook(ISBN 9780241394113) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780241994771)

Where can I buy Horizons online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Horizons from below

Where can I buy Horizons?