Exploring more than 400 important and valuable documents, Leonard Bruno traces here the fascinating history of science in the West through the extraordinary collections in the Library of Congress. […]

Each work discussed here marks a high point of scientific discovery, a moment of intellectual magic captured on paper. Whether they be works of inspiration and genius or works of diligence and perseverance, many of these volumes are surprisingly accessible to the nonscientist. Together, these landmarks of science represent man’s natural curiosity about his world at its best, and its most human.