From the bestselling author of Where Good Ideas Come From; The Ghost Map and Everything Bad Is Good for You; a new national bestseller: the “exhilaratingâ€( Los Angeles Times) story of Joseph Priestley; “a founding father long forgottenâ€(Newsweek) and a brilliant man who embodied the relationship between science; religion; and politics for America's Founding Fathers. In The Invention of Air; national bestselling author Steven Johnson tells the fascinating story of Joseph Priestley—scientist and theologian; protégé of Benjamin Franklin; friend of Thomas Jefferson—an eighteenth-century radical thinker who played pivotal roles in the invention of ecosystem science; the discovery of oxygen; the uses of oxygen; scientific experimentation; the founding of the Unitarian Church; and the intellectual development of the United States. As he did so masterfully in The Ghost Map; Steven Johnson uses a dramatic historical story to explore themes that have long engaged him: innovative strategies; intellectual models; and the way new ideas emerge and spread; and the environments that foster these breakthroughs.
#414793 in Books 2015-02-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.10 x 1.80 x 6.30l; .0 #File Name: 1592644236489 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Life story of a young man during most decisive times in Jewish historyBy Ziggy155It is an incredible book; covering most horrific and most heroic history. I recommend this book to everyone interested in Jewish history; Israel history; personal overcoming of indescribable experiences during the Holocaust. I am sorry I didn't know about Mr. Naftali Lau-Lavie's book earlier. It enriched my understanding of human nature; of history; of personal bravery.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Its not as good as the first half of the bookBy Miriam ZakarinThis book is a must read for everyone. The first half of the book is a graphic story of a survivor's first hand account of Nazi occupied Poland; Auschwitz; and other camps. It is a heart wrenching tale. The Second half of the book is mostly a first hand account of the author's relationship with Moshe Dayan; when Dayan was Defense and Foreign Minister. Its not as good as the first half of the book; and the author places Dayan on a pedestal; but still a very interesting read to those interested in the behind the scenes diplomatic history of Israel from 1970-1980.The author seems to be holding back in the second half of the book; especially from a former newspaper editor. It was a great read; but I wish he would have done more with the second part.It was a great book; and original source material for historical research.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Worth readingBy Elka SExcellent look into a child of the Holocaust and his growth into a leading member of the Israeli government. The recollections of his early life and his role in saving his younger brother are intense and realistic.
