Groundbreaking Scientific Experiments, Inventions, and Discoveries of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance - by Robert E Krebs (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Middle Ages and the Renaissance were a period of scientific and literary reawakening. Scientific development and a renewed interest in classical science led to new discoveries, inventions, and technologies. Between 500 and 1600 A.D., scientific explorers rediscovered ancient Greek and Eastern knowledge, which led to an eruption of fresh ideas. This reference work describes more than 75 experiments, inventions, and discoveries of the period, as well as the scientists, physicians, and scholars responsible for them. Individuals such as Leonardo da Vinci, Marco Polo, and Galileo are included, along with entries on reconstructive surgery, Stonehenge, eyeglasses, the microscope, and the discovery of smallpox.

Part of a unique series that ranges from ancient times to the 20th century, this exploration of scientific advancements during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance will be useful to high school and college students, teachers, and general readers seeking information about significant advances in scientific history.

Book Synopsis

The Middle Ages and the Renaissance were a period of scientific and literary reawakening. Scientific development and a renewed interest in classical science led to new discoveries, inventions, and technologies. Between 500 and 1600 A.D., scientific explorers rediscovered ancient Greek and Eastern knowledge, which led to an eruption of fresh ideas. This reference work describes more than 75 experiments, inventions, and discoveries of the period, as well as the scientists, physicians, and scholars responsible for them. Individuals such as Leonardo da Vinci, Marco Polo, and Galileo are included, along with entries on reconstructive surgery, Stonehenge, eyeglasses, the microscope, and the discovery of smallpox.

Part of a unique series that ranges from ancient times to the 20th century, this exploration of scientific advancements during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance will be useful to high school and college students, teachers, and general readers seeking information about significant advances in scientific history.

Review Quotes

?[I] do not know of any book that is as comprehensive as this one.?-SB&F

?[K]rebs's approach shows readers how pervasive early discoverers' names and, more importantly, their theories and inventions are in modern life. Appropriate for high school and college libraries, this is also a convenient and accessible guide for the public. Highly recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates.?-Choice

?[P]resents a wealth of little known but important facts, which characterize and elucidate an epoch lasting well over a century....[a]ppropriate for the circulating collections of academic and public libraries. Individual chapters will find a niche on the reading lists of high school and college classes in geography, history, and the sciences. Highly recommended. It imparts a new flavor to the often pedantic history of science.?-E-Streams

?[T]his book is a practical reference tool for someone who does not know much about the various topics or individuals covered....This book is the sort of brief outline that should encourage the reader to look further and learn more and is therefore ideal for younger students. The book's contents may surprise and inspire such an audience when they realize just how much their modern world owes to the past.?-The Sixteenth Century Journal

"ÝI¨ do not know of any book that is as comprehensive as this one."-SB&F

"ÝK¨rebs's approach shows readers how pervasive early discoverers' names and, more importantly, their theories and inventions are in modern life. Appropriate for high school and college libraries, this is also a convenient and accessible guide for the public. Highly recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates."-Choice

"ÝP¨resents a wealth of little known but important facts, which characterize and elucidate an epoch lasting well over a century....Ýa¨ppropriate for the circulating collections of academic and public libraries. Individual chapters will find a niche on the reading lists of high school and college classes in geography, history, and the sciences. Highly recommended. It imparts a new flavor to the often pedantic history of science."-E-Streams

"ÝT¨his book is a practical reference tool for someone who does not know much about the various topics or individuals covered....This book is the sort of brief outline that should encourage the reader to look further and learn more and is therefore ideal for younger students. The book's contents may surprise and inspire such an audience when they realize just how much their modern world owes to the past."-The Sixteenth Century Journal

"[T]his book is a practical reference tool for someone who does not know much about the various topics or individuals covered....This book is the sort of brief outline that should encourage the reader to look further and learn more and is therefore ideal for younger students. The book's contents may surprise and inspire such an audience when they realize just how much their modern world owes to the past."-The Sixteenth Century Journal

"[I] do not know of any book that is as comprehensive as this one."-SB&F

"[K]rebs's approach shows readers how pervasive early discoverers' names and, more importantly, their theories and inventions are in modern life. Appropriate for high school and college libraries, this is also a convenient and accessible guide for the public. Highly recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates."-Choice

"[P]resents a wealth of little known but important facts, which characterize and elucidate an epoch lasting well over a century....[a]ppropriate for the circulating collections of academic and public libraries. Individual chapters will find a niche on the reading lists of high school and college classes in geography, history, and the sciences. Highly recommended. It imparts a new flavor to the often pedantic history of science."-E-Streams

About the Author

ROBERT E. KREBS is retired Associate Dean for Research at the University of Illinois Health Sciences. He is also a former science teacher, science specialist for the U.S. Government, and university research administrator.