Alan J. Rocke est un historien de la pensée scientifique, axé sur l'histoire de l'imagination scientifique. Il explore comment les théories et découvertes scientifiques ont été façonnées par les courants intellectuels et les environnements de leur époque. Son travail se penche sur des moments cruciaux dans l'évolution de la science, analysant l'interaction entre les scientifiques, leurs idées et les paysages sociaux et culturels plus larges. L'approche de Rocke offre aux lecteurs des aperçus profonds du développement de la compréhension scientifique.
"This is one of the most important studies of nineteenth century chemistry produced during the past two decades. Building on his equally important earlier book . . . this work will establish Rocke as the leading scholar in this field."--Frederic L. Holmes, Yale University "With this work, Rocke has become the leading authority on German chemistry in the first two-thirds of the nineteenth century."--Kathryn M. Olesko, Georgetown University
The book offers an English translation of Lothar Meyer's significant early works on the periodic system of elements, highlighting his independent discovery around the same time as Dmitrii Mendeleev. It includes the 5th edition of Meyer's influential text, showcasing his contributions to the field of chemistry. This translation aims to make Meyer's ideas accessible to a wider audience, emphasizing the historical context and importance of his findings in the development of the periodic table.