A History of Science — Volume 4

"A History of Science — Volume 4" by Henry Smith Williams is a detailed exploration of how chemistry and biology transformed into the modern sciences we know, beginning in the late 1800s. The volume starts by showing how scientific ideas changed from old philosophies to today's ways of understanding what things are made of and how living things work. The author talks about how science methods improved, like moving from alchemy to using observations and experiments in chemistry. Key people like Robert Boyle and George Ernst Stahl are mentioned for their roles in creating the phlogiston theory, which helps get ready for talking about important chemical finds later on. It emphasizes how slowly knowledge built up and how different science ideas are linked, preparing readers for deeper conversations in the book.