Horizons: A Global History of Science

In his book, James Poskett reconsiders the history of scientific knowledge, refuting the idea that modern science arose exclusively in the Western world. He shows how progress is achieved through cooperation and the exchange of knowledge among scientists from different countries. The book reveals the diversity of scientific achievements beyond familiar geographic and cultural borders—from the important contributions of Arab scholars to European science to the richness of ancient Chinese medicine, botany, and pharmacology. It also describes stories of many scientists, such as an Ottoman astronomer captured by pirates, an African slave who searched for medicinal herbs on plantations in South America, and a Mexican geneticist who collected blood samples from Olympic athletes. The author acknowledges the importance of the traditional scientific canon, but also draws attention to the political context that shaped scientific discourse, offering a comprehensive view of the history of science.