The History of Science: 1700-1900

By: Frederick Gregory, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Frederick Gregory

The scientific theories that were first discovered and made public in the years 1700-1900 are some of the most pivotal in history. Landmark theories of planetary motion, the workings of nature, and the speed of light were all ideas that took the world by storm.

Now you can share in that story of discovery in a series of 36 lectures designed to give you a rock-solid understanding of the great discoveries of Newton, Darwin, Franklin, Pasteur, and so many others. You’ll see clearly how these great thinkers brought their ideas into a world and a time that resisted them, gaining a new admiration for their achievements in an atmosphere where scientific advancement had to struggle against established ways of both scientific and religious thinking.

While many presentations of scientific history often neglect to consider its context - the societies and cultures in which our most influential "natural philosophers" (the term scientist didn’t exist until the mid-19th century) made their contributions - these lectures put that context in the forefront where it belongs, exploring how dynamics of time and place help determine the questions that get asked and the directions scientists pursue in response.

The result is a series that adds invaluable historical depth and dimension to your study of science. As much about history as science - and often far more so, with the focus on the climate and process of scientific discovery rather than the science itself - this course will enhance your ability to see contemporary scientific events in a vividly informed context.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2003 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2003 The Great Courses

Worth listening from start to finish

Not a scientist in any respect, I loved these lectures. What I could understand was fascinating and what I couldn't was worth exposing myself to. I sometimes listen at faster speeds-- to fiction. But this book had me listening at normal all the time-- which turned out to be very rewarding. I am very glad I found this book!

Kuhn Enthusiasts Rejoice

For people, like me, who became interested in the history of science after reading Thomas Kuhn’s “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions”, this course is a welcome supplement.

It goes through many of the same kind of contemporary examples that Kuhn used to draw his conclusions of the process by which science “advances”, and provides the listener with a greater appreciation of how intellectual shifts actually occur.

This course is not as philosophical as is Kuhn’s work. It makes no broad claims about the process of science. But those who are familiar with Kuhn can, I think, overlay those conclusions here with relative ease.

Opened my eyes

Loved it. Tied many things I studied in school together.

Wish he was my instructor I would ha e stayed with science

A wonderful journey of discovery

Would you listen to The History of Science: 1700-1900 again? Why?

Yes, it is so rich I think I would find fresh insights on a second listening

Have you listened to any of Professor Frederick Gregory’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, I listened to his lectures on Darwin and enjoyed them so much I immediately sought out his other lectures

great overview

This covers a large amount of time and broad topics in science. The listener gets to see science from the perspective of people at the time, not just as we see it today. He did a fantastic job with an enormous amount of information.

Compulsory learning for every human.

Amazing to see how science has developed over the last few centuries. How recent many of these paradigm shifts are. Should be compulsory for everyone. Wish they would do one for the 20th century!

Excellent

Brilliant! Just brilliant. I have learnt a lot of things from this book. The narrator was too good.

History of Science!

get ready to explore history! you'll enjoy this! so much fun! so much fun! so much fun!

A challenging topic well presented

Professor Gregory does a great job explaining important concepts and contextualizing major figures in their respective eras. I really enjoyed his approach to the subject matter, regularly making connections across lectures and showing the continuities in questions, fields, and cultural guardrails, even as answers and methods changed. While I found the course engaging, it was one that took time to digest, so I never listened to more than two lectures a day. I was worried it would be too dry when I ordered it, but I loved his lecture style and thought the balance between cultural change and scientific development was perfect.

I loved it!

Good overview. Gave me a new perspective. Good job.
Wish the narrator publishes a book to dig deeper into the narrative.