# Book Name Author: [[Neal Stephenson]] Series: [[The Baroque Cycle]] ## Review I started reading this just after reading about the English Revolution in Jack Goldstone's book "Revolutions and Rebellions", and other research on the period between the English Revolution and French Revolution. I wanted a more intuitive feel for the period, so this book was perfect. The story is told through the lens of an aspiring natural philosopher. The story centers on the natural philosophers of the Royal Society and the early stages of the scientific revolution, but also verges off into politics and religion. The personalities that the author creates for the characters are fascinating, to name a few: the puritan father, Drake; the conflicted, cowardly aspiring natural philosopher, Daniel; the philosophically-curious, yet socially-disinterested Newton. Now that they are burned into my mind I just hope they are at least somewhat accurate representations! For me, the book is like a walk through the time period allowing me to fill in the picture and tack onto what I already know. It's been very helpful for creating a more vivid impression of the time period, the people, society, religious conflicts and wars. I don't think the book would be half as interesting if I wasn't researching the time period already. You have to be familiar with some of the historical events and characters in order not to get lost. ## Related - [[English Revolution]] - [[Scientific Revolution]] - [[Enlightenment]]