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Holmes, Richard, 1945-

The age of wonder : how the romantic generation discovered the beauty and terror of science / Richard Holmes - 1st U.S. ed - New York : Pantheon Books , c2008. - xxi, 552 p., [16] p. of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 25 cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 485-525) and index.

Joseph Banks in paradise -- Herschel on the moon -- Balloonists in heaven -- Herschel among the stars -- Mungo Park in Africa -- Davy on the gas -- Dr. Frankenstein and the soul -- Davy and the lamp -- Sorcerer and apprentice -- Young scientists.

"The Age of Wonder" explores the earliest ideas of deep time and space, and the explorers of "dynamic science": an infinite, mysterious Nature waiting to be discovered. Three lives dominate the book: William Herschel, his sister Caroline, and Humphry Davy.

ISBN: 9780375422225

LCCN: 2008049587

Subjects--Personal Names:
Herschel, William, Sir , 1738-1822
Herschel, Caroline Lucretia , 1750-1848
Davy, Humphry, Sir , 1778-1829

Subjects--Topical Terms:
Science----History----Great Britain
Discoveries in Science

Subjects--Geographic Terms:
Great Britain---History---18th century

LC Class. No.: Q127.G4 / H65 2008

Dewey Class. No.: 509.41 HOL