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puckduckgoose's review
5.0
yes i had to read this for a class but i genuinely loved reading it. it so perfectly encapsulates why i love studying history and especially the history of science, and i genuinely got a little emotional at points cuz falk does such a good job of not just informing you, but of reminding you that humans have always been humans
cafffine's review
4.0
So fun and informative. I enjoyed how much detail this went into, it made sure to convey just how complex and genius the science being done by middle ages scholars was, no hand-waving. Kudos also to the emphasis on how diverse the field was, with chapters not only focusing on europe, but the huge importance of the Islamic golden age. Just a great read for science lovers.
rosieclaverton's review
4.0
This is a very interesting book and I learned a lot of things. However, it is DENSE and I really struggled to follow all the technical astronomical concepts. It was much more based on geometry than I had expected. Go in prepared to think!
kizzia's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.75
This book is well written, full of interesting facts, and also quite hard going if geometry and the mathematical elements of astrology are not quite your thing. I am incredibly glad I persevered and read it without worrying that I wasn’t understanding the complexities of the astrolabes and other scientific equipment being discussed since it was really not the point of the book at all.
I loved how following John Westwyk’s life unfurled so much of medieval life as well as the science and - although I had long ago discarded the myth of the dark ages - was left with a new appreciation for just how much was going on in the period.
This isn’t a book you’re going to zip through in a couple of days but it is absolutely worth taking your time and absorbing all it has to offer.
I loved how following John Westwyk’s life unfurled so much of medieval life as well as the science and - although I had long ago discarded the myth of the dark ages - was left with a new appreciation for just how much was going on in the period.
This isn’t a book you’re going to zip through in a couple of days but it is absolutely worth taking your time and absorbing all it has to offer.
lynnannwalsh's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I think that this book would be better consumed as a book than an audiobook (through no fault of the narrator). Since it refers to complex trigonometry and medieval maths and science, it refers to illustrations and diagrams that would have been really helpful for understanding. Still, I learned so much about (and feel such a debt to) medieval scientists. Also, the author’s choice to follow a non famous monk, John Westwick, as our focal point for education was smart and helpful
madhamster's review against another edition
4.0
A bit dense at times, but this is a fascinating exploration of aspects of medieval science, sparked from a manuscript discovery.
gijs's review
3.0
Am still looking for the ultimate book on the Middle Ages; this one focused on the science of the era; in one sentence it’s Aristotle’s work saved from oblivion by the Muslim greats (Avicenna, Averroes) and somewhat reworked resulting in a rather meager advancement in objective knowledge; heavily skewed towards astronomy and the (further) development of related devices (the astrolabe, the first mechanical clockwork) this was pretty entertaining but limited in scope.