Brief Description
This book, published in 2000, examines the intersection between science and books from early medieval times to the nineteenth century.
Learn More about the Book
The history of the sciences and the history of the book are complementary, and there has been much recent innovative research in the intersection of these lively fields. This accessibly-written, well-illustrated volume is the first systematic general work to do justice to the fruits of recent scholarship. The twenty specially-commissioned chapters cover the period from the Carolingian renaissance of learning to the mid-nineteenth-century consolidation of science, and examine all aspects of the authorship, production, distribution, and reception of manuscripts, books and journals in the various sciences.
Review Quotes
1. "The work is a valuable and readable introduction to many types of historical and textual studies. It is also copiously illustrated. The essays, written by well-known international scholars, are mainly introductions and could be important to professors who teach interdisciplinary graduate or undergraduates courses in the history of the book or in the history of ideas concerning scientific knowledge. This work would also be beneficial as a source for scholars who need clear, concise introductory material for other projects connected to book publication of the sciences...Frasca-Spada and Jardine have edited an extremely valuable and worthwhlie work. This book is a must for any research library and would be extremely valuable to scholars interested in the history of printing, publishing, or science. It would also be an excellent textbook for interdisciplinary graduates courses on nature of books and the history of science." Envoi Fall 2000
2. '... a book no scholar can afford to ignore, above all thanks to its penetrating 'Introduction' and masterly 'Afterwords'. Beautifully produced, copiously illustrated, and made available from the start in paperback ... it upholds the excellent traditions established in this field by the Cambridge University Press.' BJHS
3. '... beneficial as a source or scholars who need clear, concise introductory material for other projects connected to book publication or the sciences ... an extremely valuable and worthwhile work. This book is a must for any research library and would be extremely valuable to scholars interested in the history of printing, publishing, or science. It would also be an excellent textbook for interdisciplinary graduate courses on the nature of books and the history of science.' Envoi
4. '... timely ... builds on distinguished studies in book history ... a substantial, innovative and stimulating assessment ... wide ranging, challenging and always thoughtful ... Books and the Sciences in History is an authoritative, learned, and thoroughly readable analysis that surely marks a milestone in the way we approach our subject.' Medical History
5. 'To the extent that Books and the Sciences in History shows that the history of the book has implications for the history of changes in disciplinary boundaries, it challenges the received view that the discipline of philosophy has always looked at the same kinds of problems and that the questions that perplex one generation are of interest to them all. Surely this book is a clear statement that intellectual historians of every stripe must look beyond the text to issues of context.' BJHS
6. ???It is this reviewer??'s considered opinion that Books and the Sciences in History is a must for anyone contemplating doing history of science, especially that of the early modern age 1500???1800.??? Centaurus
7. ?????? a book no scholar can afford to ignore, above all thanks to its penetrating ???Introduction??? and masterly ???Afterwords???. Beautifully produced, copiously illustrated, and made available from the start in paperback ??? it upholds the excellent traditions established in this field by the Cambridge University Press.??? BJHS
8. '??? timely ??? builds on distinguished studies in book history ??? a substantial, innovative and stimulating assessment ??? wide ranging, challenging and always thoughtful ??? Books and the Sciences in History is an authoritative, learned, and thoroughly readable analysis that surely marks a milestone in the way we approach our subject.' Medical History
9. ?????? beneficial as a source or scholars who need clear, concise introductory material for other projects connected to book publication or the sciences ??? an extremely valuable and worthwhile work. This book is a must for any research library and would be extremely valuable to scholars interested in the history of printing, publishing, or science. It would also be an excellent textbook for interdisciplinary graduate courses on the nature of books and the history of science.??? Envoi
10. ???To the extent that Books and the Sciences in History shows that the history of the book has implications for the history of changes in disciplinary boundaries, it challenges the received view that the discipline of philosophy has always looked at the same kinds of problems and that the questions that perplex one generation are of interest to them all. Surely this book is a clear statement that intellectual historians of every stripe must look beyond the text to issues of context.??? BJHS
11. ???This book is a most welcome addition to the literature on books and the history of science. It contains a wealth of fascinating detail about the composition, production, and distribution of scientific books, their readership, and the complex relationships which existed between the producers and consumers of books??? this collection provides an excellent introduction to the subject, firmly establishing the importance of book history for the history of science, and setting the agenda for what should be a promising period of interaction between these complementary historical endeavours.??? Metascience
12. ' beneficial as a source or scholars who need clear, concise introductory material for other projects connected to book publication or the sciences an extremely valuable and worthwhile work. This book is a must for any research library and would be extremely valuable to scholars interested in the history of printing, publishing, or science. It would also be an excellent textbook for interdisciplinary graduate courses on the nature of books and the history of science.' Envoi
13. ' a book no scholar can afford to ignore, above all thanks to its penetrating 'Introduction' and masterly 'Afterwords'. Beautifully produced, copiously illustrated, and made available from the start in paperback it upholds the excellent traditions established in this field by the Cambridge University Press.' BJHS
14. ' timely builds on distinguished studies in book history a substantial, innovative and stimulating assessment wide ranging, challenging and always thoughtful Books and the Sciences in History is an authoritative, learned, and thoroughly readable analysis that surely marks a milestone in the way we approach our subject.' Medical History
15. 'This book is a most welcome addition to the literature on books and the history of science. It contains a wealth of fascinating detail about the composition, production, and distribution of scientific books, their readership, and the complex relationships which existed between the producers and consumers of books this collection provides an excellent introduction to the subject, firmly establishing the importance of book history for the history of science, and setting the agenda for what should be a promising period of interaction between these complementary historical endeavours.' Metascience"
16. 'a book no scholar can afford to ignore, above all thanks to its penetrating 'Introduction' and masterly 'Afterwords'. Beautifully produced, copiously illustrated, and made available from the start in paperback it upholds the excellent traditions established in this field by the Cambridge University Press.' BJHS"
17. 'beneficial as a source or scholars who need clear, concise introductory material for other projects connected to book publication or the sciences an extremely valuable and worthwhile work. This book is a must for any research library and would be extremely valuable to scholars interested in the history of printing, publishing, or science. It would also be an excellent textbook for interdisciplinary graduate courses on the nature of books and the history of science.' Envoi"
18. 'It is this reviewer's considered opinion that Books and the Sciences in History is a must for anyone contemplating doing history of science, especially that of the early modern age 1500 1800.' Centaurus"
19. 'timely builds on distinguished studies in book history a substantial, innovative and stimulating assessment wide ranging, challenging and always thoughtful Books and the Sciences in History is an authoritative, learned, and thoroughly readable analysis that surely marks a milestone in the way we approach our subject.' Medical History"
