Watch the new season of Amazon Original series The Wheel of Time now on Prime Video. New episode weekly.
Buy used:
$9.00
$2.23 delivery Friday, March 21. Details
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by libraryfriendsgroup
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Purchase of this paperback book benefits our local library. The cover is clean, and the corners are in very good condition. The binding is tight, and the pages are crisp and clean with no markings or turned down corners. Copyright 2012 by Philip Ball. Mj; ge; “C” (Curiosity) 5/7/2024 black Spine, white Lettering
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Philip Ball
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Curiosity: How Science Became Interested in Everything Paperback – International Edition, May 2, 2013

by Philip Ball (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 30 ratings
See all formats and editions
There was a time when curiosity was condemned.

Through curiosity, our innocence was said to be lost. Yet this hasn't deterred us. Today we spend vast sums trying to recreate the first instants of creation in particle accelerators, out of pure desire to know. There seems now to be no question too vast or too trivial. No longer reviled, curiosity is now celebrated.

By examining the rise of curiosity from the dawn of modern science to today, we can examine how it functions in science, how it is spun, packaged and sold, and how the changing shape of science influences the kinds of questions it may ask.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    480 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Vintage
  4. Publication date
    May 2, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    5.08 x 1.38 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0099554275
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0099554271
  8. See all details
Next slide of product details
The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage (May 2, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 480 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0099554275
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0099554271
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.3 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 1.38 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 30 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Philip Ball

Philip Ball

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
30 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book interesting and well-written. It provides an engaging narrative history of science up to the early 19th century.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

InterestWriting quality
7 customers mention "Interest"5 positive2 negative

Customers find the book interesting. They describe it as a narrative history of science up to the early 19th century.

"This is a well written and interesting narrative history of science up to the early 19th century...." Read more

"I have only read 90 pages so far, but a really interesting book if you are interested in the history of science. Writing is excellent...." Read more

"Interesting, but all over the map...." Read more

"Interesting history of science stuff--from the early Renaissance on..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality. They find the narrative history of science interesting.

"This is a well written and interesting narrative history of science up to the early 19th century...." Read more

"...Unfortunately it is superbly written from a syntax standpoint but totally unengaging. If anything it is a 3 dB tougher read than Vom Kreig...." Read more

"...Writing is excellent. Bravo Philip Ball." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • David W. Drake
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good popular history of science
    Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is a well written and interesting narrative history of science up to the early 19th century. All the big--and many lesser known but important--scientific names are here.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • mam
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but all over the map.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book was the reading for my book club, so I felt obligated to finish it. While I learned a great deal about various topics, including the scientific revolution and the history of the British Royal Society, it was a slog. To me, the scaffolding of "curiosity" simply wasn't sturdy enough to hold (up) my interest.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Bruce W. Fowler
    4.0 out of 5 stars Curiosity Review
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    If ever there was a book I should give 5* to, this is it. Unfortunately it is superbly written from a syntax standpoint but totally unengaging. If anything it is a 3 dB tougher read than Vom Kreig. The subject is not only enthralling but critically important to our civilization. Admittedly it is complex so the author can be forgiven, IMHO, for not quite managing to integrate a story. I recommend this strongly for any scientist who is an actual nerd and not just a careerist geek.
    17 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Richard Valtr
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book with an even better message
    Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    What is most surprising in this book is just how quickly you will float over the many centuries that this gem glides over and just how quickly you discover how the history of ideas is never as clear-cut as we'd like to believe. The final entreaty for us ti try and focus our energies on every subject that arouses our curiosity, rather than just a blind rush to identify everything in order to glean a grand truth is a wonderful message to scientist and non-scientist alike.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Richard Leigh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent account of how science got started
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Using a historical perspective it gave new insights into the progress of science
    Helpful
     Report
  • Fred
    3.0 out of 5 stars great ang small
    Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I'm sure Phillip Ball is an erudite and exacting person; he certainly seems to think so as do the reviewers who dare comment on his books. I read his book "Universe of Stone" and was captivated by his appreciation and description of Chartres Cathedral - what it was, why it was, how and why it was built and how it marked a profound change in European architecture. PB located it among the many other wonders of cathedrals, great ang small.
    But later I read his other books about Music, Branches, Colors, Shapes, etc.
    I looked for a treatment like 'Universe'. Instead, I found dry 'writings' ; visions informed only by pure intellect, not art or human aspirations. He wrote many other of books regarding music, shapes, colors, patterns, etc.
    But he did nothing to telll us what these subjects are about! Philip Ball, attempting to perfectly explain his subjects goes much too far.
    Yes, he failed us. He failed himself.

    PB is certainly invited to respond.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Paula Clarke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Arrived on time and as promised. Thank you!
    Helpful
     Report
  • James H.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Could be titled History of Science and Curiosity
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I have only read 90 pages so far, but a really interesting book if you are interested in the history of science. Writing is excellent. Bravo Philip Ball.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Prasanna G
    4.0 out of 5 stars prasanna_g_vadodara nice one---but defocused if you want to read from 'scientific' ...
    Reviewed in India on January 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    prasanna_g_vadodara
    nice one---but defocused if you want to read from 'scientific' perspective....
    Report
  • Gerard Flanagan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 27, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    All was very good!
    Report