Convergence

This book is not science lite. It is a history of science from 1850, but not in chronological order. It is ordered by like ideas from a variety of disciplines, which come together in a single thesis. The scope of this book and the variety of ideas make it difficult reading for those readers who do not yet have an in-depth understanding of the scientists and their revolutionary theories. Get ready to devote considerable time and attention to every page. I also had to research ideas and scientists in order to become an involved reader.

The author has written thirteen previous books and is billed as an intellectual historian. (As opposed to the less-studied historian.) There are, however, many things to recommend this book; primary among them is the focus on women who played critical roles in the development of new thought. One of the most interesting stories for me was that of Mary Somerville, a Scottish science writer whose love of mathematics made her a toast of the late 1800s. So arm yourself with all your science knowledge and prepare to settle down to study how it all comes together.