In A History of Classical Physics, J.D. Bernal delivers a masterful, accessible survey of physics’ sweeping journey—from ancient Greek atomism through the Enlightenment’s mechanical world to the dawn of relativity and quantum theory. With clarity, wit, and a keen sense of storytelling, Bernal weaves the lives of pivotal thinkers, the evolution of their ideas, and the social forces that shaped them into a compelling narrative. The result is an enlightening read that's both scholarly and engaging—perfect for students, history lovers, or anyone curious about how the science of the universe took shape.
About the Author
John Desmond Bernal (1901–1971) was an Irish-born physicist and pioneering crystallographer renowned for applying X-ray crystallography to biology. A Fellow of the Royal Society and professor at Birkbeck College, University of London, Bernal combined scientific rigor with profound insights into the philosophy and sociology of science. Beyond his technical achievements, he penned numerous popular histories of science and was an outspoken political thinker, making his writing both intellectually rich and socially aware.
