Instruments of Science: An Historical Encyclopedia. By Robert Bud and Deborah Jean Warner (Eds.) Garland Encyclopedias in the History of Science Vol. 2; Garland Reference Library of the Social Sciences Vol. 936; The Science Museum, London and The National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution in association with Garland Publishing, Inc.: New York & London, 1998. Illustrations. xxv + 709 pp. 18.4 � 26.0 cm. $138.00 Hardbound. ISBN 0-8153-1561-9

Abstract There is no question that the American public has an unabashed appetite for history. This is demonstrated in numerous ways from bestsellers by popular historians to tourism at historic sites and museums to the popularity of films and other media depicting versions of the past. Although historians might think that the discourse presented in most of these forums is simplistic and stilted, little doubt exists that it is passionate. This discussion explores a few of the issues affecting the public's deep fascination with the past, especially in the context of the history of science and technology, and the presentation of these issues in the Smithsonian Institution. These thoughts are tentative and speculative, but, I hope, stimulating and worthy of further consideration.

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Joseph Marcus. Social and Political History of the Jews in Poland, 7979-7939. (Studies in the Social Sciences.) Berlin, New York, Amsterdam: Mouton Publishers. 1983. Pp. 569.

Polin: Studies in Polish Jewry Volume 1 ◽

10.2307/j.ctv1rmj11.46 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 382-387

Author(s):

Jerzy Holzer

Keyword(s):

Social Sciences ◽

New York ◽

Political History ◽

The Social ◽

History Of

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Fallible or inerrant? A belated review of the ‘constructivist's bible’ Jan Golinski, Making Natural Knowledge: Constructivism and the History of Science. Cambridge History of Science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999. Pp. xiv+236. ISBN 0-521-44913-8. £15.95 (paperback).

The British Journal for the History of Science ◽

10.1017/s0007087403005338 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 93-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. D. Eddy

Keyword(s):

Social Sciences ◽

History Of Science ◽

Cambridge University ◽

Natural Knowledge ◽

The Social ◽

Science Wars ◽

History Of ◽

Unique Approach ◽

Canonical Text

When Jan Golinski's Making Natural Knowledge was published in 1998 it was generally applauded for its ecumenical stance between the empirical ‘art’ of historians and the theoretical focus of the social sciences. Indeed, such a middling position was a unique approach to be taken in wake of the ‘science wars’ and this, in combination with the book's clear organization and (for the most part) forthright prose, quickly earned it a place upon HPS, STS and SSK postgraduate reading lists. Now, five years since its first edition was published (hardback, 1998), the work has become a standard introduction to historically minded scholars interested in the constructivist programme. In fact, it has been called the ‘constructivist's bible’ in many a conference corridor. Since the book has attained such a status (and since it has not been reviewed in the BJHS), it is perhaps worth reflecting on whether or not such canonical text (to use a biblical analogy) is fallible or inerrant – especially in relation to its content and pedagogical efficacy.

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From political economy to sociology: Francis Galton and the social-scientific origins of eugenics

The British Journal for the History of Science ◽

10.1017/s0007087410001524 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 44 (3) ◽

pp. 343-369 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

CHRIS RENWICK

Keyword(s):

Social Sciences ◽

Twentieth Century ◽

Political Economy ◽

History Of Science ◽

Research Programme ◽

Biological Science ◽

The Social ◽

History Of ◽

Francis Galton ◽

Social Scientific

AbstractHaving coined the word ‘eugenics’ and inspired leading biologists and statisticians of the early twentieth century, Francis Galton is often studied for his contributions to modern statistical biology. However, whilst documenting this part of his work, historians have frequently neglected crucial aspects of what motivated Galton to establish his eugenics research programme. Arguing that his work was shaped more by social than by biological science, this paper addresses these oversights by tracing the development of Galton's programme, from its roots in a debate about political economy to his appeals for it to be taken up by sociologists. In so doing, the paper not only returns Galton's ideas to their original context but also provides a reason to reflect on the place of the social sciences in history-of-science scholarship.

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