Biological knowledge proceeds by a voyage inwards, first at the gross anatomy level later by microscopic explorations. Similarly, early limitations of human geographical horizons give way to inventions and explorations that take the adventurer, pilgrim, commercial exploiter, or conqueror to wider spheres and new concepts of the world's dimensions. He begins with primitive notions of time and the increasing need to develop means of measuring its passage-a natural enough entrÉe to astrology, astronomy, clocks, and calendars. (Nov.Boorstin's choice of ""discoverers"" to title this omnibus history of the growth of scientific knowledge reflects his view of the importance of pivotal people, as well as the idea that knowledge is a revealing or an uncovering of ever broader vistas in time or space.
In a feast for the mind and eye, itself a delightful adventure in discovery, Boorstin, librarian of Congress emeritus, profiles-and places in context-scores of innovators who broke with dogma and tradition. A photograph of 15th-century cast bronze type from Korea underscores an Eastern invention that could have changed the course of printing, perhaps of science and culture. We see the tools of discovery-Egyptian obelisks, early clocks, Leeuwenhoek's microscope, Mercator's maps, botanical drawings from James Cook's voyages-and glimpse the social, cultural and political background, made concrete in 550 pictures including paintings, sculpture, engravings and architecture.
This richly illustrated two-volume edition reveals the world as known to the discovers themselves.
In Boorstin's 1983 bestseller The Discoverers, the achievements of Galileo, Columbus, Darwin, Gutenberg and Freud emerged as upwellings of creativity and courage, ingenious acts of revolt against ingrained habit.
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