This is a very readable and accessible book. It takes as its period of coverage the years following the conclusion of the second world war, specifically 1950 onwards, to the present day. Whilst on first reading the introduction it seems that book takes a rather US centric view of world developments, many of the individual entries are thankfully more global in scope. However, this slight bias should be borne in mind when considering this text for purchase or study.
Within the main body of the text individual alphabetically arranged entries comprise short (500‐1,000 word) essays on the topic in question with a handful of further reading suggestions at the end of each. Broader entries for specific fields (e.g. astronomy, psychology or physics) are interspaced with more specific topics or advances (e.g. lasers or symbiosis). There are also a significant number of biographical entries helping to humanise the advance of science. These notables are taken from every field of science, mathematics and related areas – science fiction authors are particularly well covered for their contribution to the visualisation of the future.
The use of images and photographs is excellent in this work. This reviewer was particularly pleased to note a number of diagrams clearly drawn in the early 1950s presented as crisp and clean as when they were first published. Naturally there are many contemporary shots that are just as clear. The vast majority of photographs are biographical shots of notable figures during the period covered and are in themselves rather interesting pieces of historical evidence.
While the entries are enjoyable to read and the full spectrum of scientific advance is covered, there is a detectible leaning towards the physical and technological sciences. Although this could be attributed to the advances more apparent in modern life, it is a slight disappointment that an equal emphasis on advances in medial science has not been maintained. However, where entries on these subjects are encountered they are of similar authority and accessibility as all other parts of the work.
Book‐ending the volume are a contents list, preface and introduction, brief post‐1950 science chronology, an extensive bibliography and a detailed index. The index is not limited to main topics and is a very useful guide for mining the book for information.
Overall the general and biographical entries do form the vast bulk of the books text. Thus this makes an excellent introductory or companion book for anyone starting out in the study of the history of science, and would well suit libraries of all levels as a general reference. However, those wishing to provide a more academic or in‐depth dealing with the subject matter would be best advised to look elsewhere. The book is also available in an e‐book format that may be purchased separately or bundled with the print.
