Presents a commentary on the history of science that examines historic clashes and collaborations between science and the competing realms of religion, technology, poetry, mathematics, and philosophy. -- From the publisher.

Part I: Greek physics. Matter and poetry -- Music and mathematics -- Motion and philosophy -- Hellenistic physics and technology -- Ancient science and religion -- Part II: Greek astronomy. The uses of astronomy -- Measuring the sun, moon, and earth -- The problem of the planets -- Part III: The Middle Ages. The Arabs -- Medieval Europe -- Part IV: The scientific revolution. The solar system solved -- Experiments begun -- Method reconsidered -- The Newtonian synthesis -- Epilogue: the grand reduction.