In this book Gribbin moves through the centuries, creating an unbroken genealogy of not only the greatest but also the more obscure names of Western science, a dot-to-dot line linking amateur to genius, and accidental discovery to brilliant deduction.

Originally published: [London] : Allen Lane, 2002.

Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. Out of the dark ages -- Renaissance men ; Last mystics ; First scientists -- 2. Founding fathers -- Science finds its feet ; Newtonian revolution ; Expanding horizons -- 3. Enlightenment -- Enlightened science I : chemistry catches up ; Enlightened science II : progress on all fronts -- 4. Big picture -- Darwinian revolution ; Atoms and molecules ; Let there be light ; Last hurrah! of classical science -- 5. Modern times -- Inner space ; Realm of life ; Outer space -- Coda : Pleasure of finding things out.