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upnorth's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A rare and beautifully written book that combines the histories of art and science though biographies. So many vivid life stories and events, one to savor.
creadsreviews's review against another edition
3.0
This book was interesting and I liked the concept of it, but towards the end I felt like it read like a thesis and got a little too involved in the details and personal lives and I think I thought it'd be more about the science. I found myself hardly finishing it.
timinbc's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed reading this in bits and spurts. I already knew quite a bit about many of the scientists names, but this book provides a fascinating web of connections between them, shows how some of them worked and thought, and weaves in their relationship with several well-known poets.
You'll find yourself repeatedly muttering, "Hey, I didn't know that!" and pestering your housemates with interesting new facts.
In this era, the top scientists were discovering things at an astonishing rate, and I was pleased to see that many of them wanted to work on the big picture at the same time, asking themselves what it all meant and struggling to find out how things worked and why.
There's a LOT of detail about Joseph Banks, William Herschel and Humphry Davy, each of whom made huge contributions. And the detail is not at all boring.
You'll find yourself repeatedly muttering, "Hey, I didn't know that!" and pestering your housemates with interesting new facts.
In this era, the top scientists were discovering things at an astonishing rate, and I was pleased to see that many of them wanted to work on the big picture at the same time, asking themselves what it all meant and struggling to find out how things worked and why.
There's a LOT of detail about Joseph Banks, William Herschel and Humphry Davy, each of whom made huge contributions. And the detail is not at all boring.
phf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
sallyavena's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't get very far, before it was due at the library (it was already a day overdue, so I couldn't renew). I wasn't impressed with the first 100 pages or so. To much time spent on the sexual exploits in Tahiti.
debbiebarr's review against another edition
4.0
This was probably the most enjoyable textbook I've read for a science class. The context of science in the romantic period is interesting , and the author writes in a compelling way. However, some of the events may be a little sensationalized, such as the greater emphasis on Davy's use of nitrous oxide over his discovery of elements. Despite this, though, it is a great read, especially for those who may not be as interested in science.
uhambe_nami's review against another edition
4.0
From Joseph Banks's Tahiti voyage to Charles Babbage's prototype of the computer: The Age of Wonder is a fascinating ride through the history of British science during the Romantic period. Holmes tells us about the scientists and their lives, and the imprint of their discoveries on poetry and literature of that time, most notably the work of Coleridge, Wordsworth, Keats, Byron, and Mary Shelley.
emenendez1's review against another edition
3.0
Took me forever to read and for a reason. It is a difficult read! Too much accompanying information, too many details about the life of people, but I learned a lot and that is the important part.