Author:Simon Winchester
'Bracingly apocalyptic stuff: atmospheric, chock-full of information and with a constantly escalating sense of pace and tension' Sunday Telegraph
Simon Winchester's brilliant chronicle of the destruction of the Indonesian island of Krakatoa in 1883 charts the birth of our modern world. He tells the story of the unrecognized genius who beat Darwin to the discovery of evolution; of Samuel Morse, his code and how rubber allowed the world to talk; of Alfred Wegener, the crack-pot German explorer and father of geology. In breathtaking detail he describes how one island and its inhabitants were blasted out of existence and how colonial society was turned upside-down in a cataclysm whose echoes are still felt to this day.
Big claims, well made: it is a rare pleasure to pick up such a rigorous and readable book about scientific advance that is so firmly anchored in philosophical history
—— Time OutVirtually all the interesting philosophy today is done, not by professional philosophers, but by scientists like Damasio... The map may be incomplete, but thanks to Damasio we do at least know the principal landmarks
—— New HumanistDamasio's book interweaves lucid and fascinating explanations of neurological findings with historical and philosophical ruminations on Spinoza... Rich and informative
—— New ScientistThere is much in this book to please Damasio's fans. He is a lively and humane writer, and ranges easily across a wide variety of topics
—— IndependentWhat an elegant exposition lies here: not for everyone, to be sure, but for those familiar with astronomer Barrow's rich background in mathematics and in the history and philosophy of science, a treasure of learning and insight
—— Kirkus ReviewsLucid, accessible and engaging
—— Glasgow HeraldA dazzlingly informed book... I can promise you'll be amazed
—— Bill Bryson, Daily ExpressRose has a subtle mind, a prose style of great clarity and a civilised and compassionate approach to what neuroscience tells us about human nature
—— Sunday Times