The Genesis of Science: The Story of Greek Imagination

While it's common knowledge that the study of science originated with the ancient Greeks, we don't often think about why the Greeks were so interested in science in the first place. In this book, Bertman (classics, U. of Windsor) examines the scientific achievements of the ancient Greeks, showing how (and why) they attempted to explain the forces that shape the world. Readers encounter both the usual suspects (Archimedes, Aristotle, Euclid) as well as lesser known figures such as Eratosthenes, who made a very accurate estimate of the Earth's circumference more than 2000 years ago. Bertman's admiration for the early Greek scientists is evident in every word, and his lively style invites readers to share that admiration. The text is accompanied by many illustrations, including eight pages in full color. Annotation 穢2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)