At once a contribution to a growing body of scholarship on natural philosophy and an analysis of theoretical research, Speculative Truth yields a fascinating view and discourse on the rise of scientific attitudes and ways of knowing - virtually the birth of modern science."--BOOK JACKET.

Concentrating on the Industrial Revolution as experienced in Great Britain (and, within that sphere, mainly on the early development of the engineering and chemical industries), the authors develop the thesis that the interaction between theorists and men of practical affairs was much closer, more complex and more consequential than some historians of science have held it to be. Deeply researched, gracefully argued and fully documented. First published in 1969, and established now as a "classic" in the field, the present edition has a new foreword by Margaret C. Jacob. (NW) Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR