Historical Encyclopedia of Natural and Mathematical Sciences

The 5800-page Encyclopedia surveys 100 generations of great thinkers, offering 2070 detailed biographies of scientists, engineers, explorers and inventors, who left their mark on the history of science and technology. This six-volume masterwork also includes 380 articles summarizing the time-line of ideas in the leading fields of science, technology, mathematics and philosophy, plus useful tables, figures and photos, and 20 ‘Science Progress Reports’ detailing scientific setbacks. Interspersed throughout are quotations, gathered from the wit and wisdom of sages, savants and scholars throughout the ages from antiquity to modern times. The Encyclopedia represents 20 years’ work by the sole author, Ari Ben-Menahem, of Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science

From the reviews:

“This Encyclopedia has the potential of becoming a standard reference work in the history of science, one in which a student or teacher could easily find basic information about individuals who contributed to science as well as surveys of various fields of science, from ancient times through the end of the twentieth century. … The main body of the encyclopedia is biographies, over 2700 of them, arranged chronologically. … I highly recommend this book to university libraries.” (Victor J. Katz, Mathematical Reviews, June, 2013)

“Provide a ‘comprehensive treatise that blends the essential historical data (chronology, biographies, major background political and economical events, etc.) together with science proper (principles, laws, experiments, observations, theories, equations, etc.)’ … . Ben-Menahem’s approach is purely chronological; history is presented as just one damn thing after another. … a useful and historically sensitive approach … . appeal to non-academics … .” (Dean Rickles, Metascience, Vol. 20, 2011)

“This encyclopedia, which author Ben-Menahem … calls his treatise, is the product of 27 years of hard work. … The content covers all theoretical and experimental milestones in scientific and technological fields and extends to social issues. … This encyclopedia is truly one of a kind within the subject of the history of science and will be a good addition to collections needing material on natural and mathematical sciences. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers.” (N. N. Xiao, Choice, Vol. 47 (7), March, 2010)

“This is probably the most comprehensive encyclopedia of natural and mathematical sciences one has ever seen. … Numerous tables of the lifespan of researcher or tables to describe symbols are included as well as many appendices including additional material. Each chapter is accompanied by a bibliography, a name index, and a subject index. … definitely sets high standards not only from the point of view of its content but also from its appearance. … printed on high quality paper and the text is superbly readable.” (Thomas Sonar, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1175, 2010)