Ben Waber reviewed Horizons by James Poskett
An Individual Focused Series of Case Studies
3 stars
This book is best read as a series of important case studies of unheralded figures in science across the centuries, and a good illustration of how scientists exist in the world rather than cloistered off from the rest of society. It isn't, however, a systematic study of the development of science and the contribution of different factors to progress, and many connections strain credulity (e.g. the fact that Einstein gave talks in many countries doesn't mean those countries contributed much to his theories). It does importantly show that attributing particular advances to individuals is largely a mistake, and that context is extremely important in shaping avenues of scientific inquiry.
This book is best read as a series of important case studies of unheralded figures in science across the centuries, and a good illustration of how scientists exist in the world rather than cloistered off from the rest of society. It isn't, however, a systematic study of the development of science and the contribution of different factors to progress, and many connections strain credulity (e.g. the fact that Einstein gave talks in many countries doesn't mean those countries contributed much to his theories). It does importantly show that attributing particular advances to individuals is largely a mistake, and that context is extremely important in shaping avenues of scientific inquiry.