Book review: Seeing Further by Bill Bryson: The Story Of Science And The Royal Society

Published on Saturday 6 February 2010 11:12

Seeing Further by Bill Bryson: The Story Of Science And The Royal Society edited by Bill Bryson is published by Harper Press, priced £25.

Bill Bryson takes time off from being a novelist and applies his editing skills to this book, which takes a look back over the centuries at the important and ground-breaking discoveries made in the name of science, from splitting the atom to creating the worldwide web.

An interest in science is paramount to fully appreciate this book, which on occasions reads more like a textbook.

If you're dipping in and out, don't miss the chapter on humankind's changing place in the universe by Paul Davies or the section about Darwin.

This book also demonstrates the huge extent to which the Royal Society has enabled the progression of modern science since its inception in the 1600s.

But those looking for a book along the lines of Bryson's previous offerings – including In A Sunburned Country and A Short History Of Nearly Everything – should not be swayed by his name on the cover.

This is a fascinating look at science and some of the key discoveries that have really changed the shape of the world.

A must for science boffins, and those who are just ever-so-slightly curious about it all.

7/10 Review by Emma Everingham