{"title":"Michael Bycroft","description":"\u003cp\u003eDive into the intriguing world of Michael Bycroft, a scholar whose work brilliantly bridges the gap between science and history. Bycroft's exploration and research are encapsulated in his engaging titles, which include \u003cem\u003eGems and the New Science\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMainly found in our Uncategorised section, Bycroft's books weave narratives that unravel the complexities of scientific advancements intertwined with historical developments. His meticulous study and analysis not only educate but also captivate readers who are enthusiastic about understanding the evolution of science through a historical lens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBycroft’s writing is accessible yet deeply informative, making his books valuable for both the curious reader and the seasoned historian. Immerse yourself in Michael Bycroft's intellectual exploration and enrich your knowledge with his insightful perspectives.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"gems-and-the-new-science-by-michael-bycroft-9780226644608","title":"Gems and the New Science","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe first book-length history of gems in early modern science offers a thought-provoking new take on the Scientific Revolution.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eGems and the New Science\u003c\/em\u003e, Michael Bycroft argues that gems were connected to major developments in the \"new science\" between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. As he explains, precious and semi-precious stones were at the centre of dramatic shifts in natural knowledge in early modern Europe. They were used to investigate luminescence, electricity, combustion, chemical composition, and more. They were collected by naturalists, measured by mathematicians, and rubbed, burned, and dissolved by experimental philosophers. This led to the demise of the traditional way of classifying gems—which grouped them by transparency, colour, and locality—and a turn to density, refraction, chemistry, and crystallography as more reliable guides for sorting these substances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe science of gems shows that material evaluation was as important as material production in the history of science. It also shows the value of seeing science as the product of the interaction between different material worlds. The book begins by bringing these insights to bear on five themes of the Scientific Revolution. Each of the subsequent chapters deals with a major episode in early modern science, from the expansion of natural history in the sixteenth century to the emergence of applied science early in the nineteenth century. This important work is not only the first book-length history of the science of gems but also a fresh interpretation of the Scientific Revolution and an argument for a new form of materialism about science.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47306904994028,"sku":"9780226644608","price":85.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/18674363482268.jpg?v=1771067492"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/michael-bycroft.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}