Short Synopsis
William Bynum follows the march of science through the centuries, in a lively work that will delight readers of all ages.

Full Synopsis
Science is fantastic. It tells us about the infinite reaches of space, the tiniest living organism, the human body, the history of Earth. People have always been doing science because they have always wanted to make sense of the world and harness its power. From ancient Greek philosophers through Einstein and Watson and Crick to the computer-assisted scientists of today, men and women have wondered, examined, experimented, calculated, and sometimes made discoveries so earthshaking that people understood the world—or themselves—in an entirely new way.

This inviting book tells a great adventure story: the history of science. It takes listeners to the stars through the telescope, as the sun replaces the earth at the center of our universe. It delves beneath the surface of the planet, charts the evolution of chemistry's periodic table, introduces the physics that explain electricity, gravity, and the structure of atoms. It recounts the scientific quest that revealed the DNA molecule and opened unimagined new vistas for exploration.Emphasizing surprising and personal stories of scientists both famous and unsung, A Little History of Science traces the march of science through the centuries. The book opens a window on the exciting and unpredictable nature of scientific activity and describes the uproar that may ensue when scientific findings challenge established ideas. With a warm, accessible style, this is a book for young and old to treasure together.

"Jonathan Cowley narrates the accounts with an authoritative British accent. He covers the material at a brisk pace without losing the listener along the way. This work is entertaining as well as informative." ---AudioFile

"Bynum's lively narrative . . . certainly delivers on his opening line: 'Science is special.'" ---Kirkus Starred Review

"A super-accessible introduction to science." ---Booklist

"In A Little History of Science, William Bynum ably distills this human saga into a delightfully clear tale. It may be little, but it manages to find room for galaxies, computers, chemistry, evolution and much more." ---Carl Zimmer, author of A Planet of Viruses

"You will not find a better summary of the history of science." ---Bernard Wood, author of Human Evolution

Kirkus Review