- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: Profile Books; First Edition edition (14 July 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1861974000
- ISBN-13: 978-1861974006
- Product Dimensions: 20.2 x 13.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 507,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Glass Bathyscaphe: How Glass Changed the World
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The Glass Bathyscaphe asks what was the crucial difference between oriental and occidental societies in the late middle ages and Renaissance that meant that those in the west developed modern scientific method and those in the east did not? What was the single most important substance behind the startling technological advances of the last two hundred years? Some might be tempted to answer, "Iron and Steel", to the second question but, according to MacFarlane and Martin, in their unusual book, the answer to both questions should be, "Glass". Through its use in telescopes and microscopes, barometers, thermometers and scientific instruments, medical and photographic equipment, glass made us feel differently about ourselves and the world.
The danger in a book like this, which concentrates on one substance and its cultural significance, is that the authors could have sounded like monomaniacs, ascribing just about every advance in human knowledge to the wonders of glass. MacFarlane and Martin are aware of this danger and they acknowledge the enormous complexity of the forces that created the modern world. Their argument is subtle and sophisticated but they are in no doubt that glass has never been given the central place it deserves. Ironically, given its subject, The Glass Bathyscaphe has a slightly opaque title (how many know, without consulting a dictionary, what a bathyscaphe is?) but, for a short book, it is a very challenging one, asking us to look anew at the whole history of science and technology.--Nick Rennison
Review
'A stimulating read that will make you think about the material world in a new way' - Julian Henderson, New Scientist 'Fascinating...a riveting story...the authors' explanations are wide-ranging and ingenious ...presented with energy and insight. By piecing together "the shattered history of this extraordinary substance" Macfarlane and Martin have made a valuable contribution to the wider social history of technology' - Richard Hamblyn, Sunday Times
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
After hearing the author of this remarkable book interviewed on Radio 4's Start the Week, I rushed to get a copy, and I have not been disapointed. The book describes the role which glass has played in the advancement of Man and civilization. It demonstrates the remarkable effect of NOT using glass as it was used in the West had on the worlds of Islam and the Orient. My only criticism is the author's style--what he has to say is exciting and very interesting, but much of the spark of his message is hidden in verbosity, he could certainly have come to the point much quicker and with more impact--perhaps he feared that the book would be too short! Robert Temple's excellent book, THE CRYSTAL SUN deals with the development and use of lenses in antiquity in a more complete manner.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book stands head and shoulders above the many "material histories" that have appeared over the last few years (e.g. salt; fish; spices): it overflows with fresh insights, original ideas, and interesting objects for speculation. Don't miss it!
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A fascinating book, that really makes you think about the delicate balance of life and culture. How something like glass which is taken so much for granted in the modern world could have such far reaching consequences in the development of various cultures around the world.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a book to dip into
I've not read all of this book yet - I find it hard going if I try to read it from front to back, but opening it at random always finds something to think about.
Published on 6 Sep 2007 by J
Disappointing
There's a lot of promise in this book, not to mention a fairly bold set of hypotheses about how glass has been central not only to the evolution of Western science, but also to... Read more
Published on 28 Dec 2003
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