Synopses & Reviews
We live in a visual age, an age of images'"iconic, instant, and influential'"that have crystallized our conception of the large, the small, and the complex, of both inner and outer space. Some, like Robert Hooke's first microscopic views of the natural world, arose because of new technical capabilities. Others, like the first graphs, were breathtakingly simple but perennially useful. The first stunning picture of Earth from space stimulated an environmental consciousness that has grown ever since; the mushroom clouds from atomic and nuclear explosions became the ultimate symbol of death and destruction; Mercator's flat map of the Earth cemented an entire worldview. John D. Barrow's collection encompasses the frontiers of modern science and its most memorable historic moments. But this is much more than a picture book. Entertaining and informative essays accompany the powerful display of images that have illuminated concepts of far-reaching significance.
Review
"A collection of provocative (and coordinated) essays that takes the readers through several centuries of scientific enlightenment . . . the writing is so smooth and enjoyable, you may forget that there's a scholarly heart within." Dennis di Cicco
Synopsis
We live in a visual age--an age of images; iconic, instant, and influential. In this remarkable book, John D. Barrow traces their history in order to tell the story of modern science. Some images, such as Robert Hooke's first microscopic views of the natural world or the stunning images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, were made possible by our new technical capabilities. Others, such as the first graph, were breathtakingly simple but perennially useful. Many of these images have shattered our preconceptions about the limits and nature of existence, and together they reveal something of the beauty and truth of the universe, and why, so often, a picture is better than a thousand words.
Synopsis
Some images, such as Robert Hooke s first microscopic views of the natural world or the stunning images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, were made possible by our new technical capabilities. Others, such as the first graph, were breathtakingly simple but perennially useful. Many of these images have shattered our preconceptions about the limits and nature of existence, and together they reveal something of the beauty and truth of the universe, and why, so often, a picture is better than a thousand words. "
Synopsis
"Dozens of short essays, each prompted by one of science's visual creations . . . beautiful."--George Johnson,
Synopsis
A remarkable book tracing the history and influence of nearly two hundred iconic images that changed human conceptions of the universe and our place in it.
About the Author
John D. Barrow is professor of mathematical sciences and director of the Millennium Mathematics Project at Cambridge University. He has written many highly acclaimed books on science and mathematics, including One Hundred Essential Things You Didn't Know You Didn't Know, Cosmic Imagery, and The Book of Universes. He received the 2008 Michael Faraday Prize for Science Communication. He lives in Cambridge, England.