In 'The Age of Wonder,' Richard Holmes takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through the Romantic period of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where science and art intertwine in breathtaking harmony. The book vividly explores the lives of revolutionary figures like Joseph Banks, Mary Shelley, and Humphry Davy, who shaped our understanding of nature and the universe. Holmes paints a rich tapestry of excitement and intellectual adventure, revealing how curiosity drove humanity to explore the unknown. As various disciplines converged, the boundaries of knowledge expanded, leading to wondrous discoveries that still resonate today. This captivating narrative invites readers to reflect on the profound connection between creativity and scientific inquiry—what wonders still await us?
By Richard Holmes
Published: 2010
"The pursuit of knowledge is not merely a quest; it is a thrilling voyage through the mysteries of the natural world, where every discovery is a revelation that ignites the imagination."
The Age of Wonder is a colorful and utterly absorbing history of the men and women whose discoveries and inventions at the end of the eighteenth century gave birth to the Romantic Age of Science. When young Joseph Banks stepped onto a Tahitian beach in 1769, he hoped to discover Paradise. Inspired by the scientific ferment sweeping through Britain, the botanist had sailed with Captain Cook in search of new worlds. Other voyages of discovery—astronomical, chemical, poetical, philosophical—swiftly follow in Richard Holmes's thrilling evocation of the second scientific revolution. Through the lives of William Herschel and his sister Caroline, who forever changed the public conception of the solar system; of Humphry Davy, whose near-suicidal gas experiments revolutionized chemistry; and of the great Romantic writers, from Mary Shelley to Coleridge and Keats, who were inspired by the scientific breakthroughs of their day, Holmes brings to life the era in which we first realized both the awe-inspiring and the frightening possibilities of science—an era whose consequences are with us still.
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“The pursuit of knowledge is not merely a quest; it is a thrilling voyage through the mysteries of the natural world, where every discovery is a revelation that ignites the imagination.”
The Age of Wonder
By Richard Holmes
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Richard Holmes is a distinguished British author and biographer, renowned for his in-depth explorations of historical figures and themes. Among his notable works are 'Shelley: The Pursuit,' which delves into the life of the Romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and 'Coleridge: Early Visions,' a profound examination of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Holmes is celebrated for his engaging narrative style that blends meticulous research with a personal touch, bringing historical narratives to life. His ability to intertwine literary analysis with biographical detail has earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated readership.
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