About the Author

Dr James Hannam was educated at Oxford and Cambridge where he studied physics and then the history of science. Hannam also runs the website www.bede.org.uk which receives up to 40,000 page views a month.

Reviews

‘A gripping read full of fantastic illustrations; it’s certainly a present I’d love to get.’
*Bookbag*

‘Spirited jaunt through centuries of scientific development... captures the wonder of the medieval world: its inspirational curiosity and its engaging strangeness.’
*Sunday Times*

‘A very useful general survey of a difficult topic, and a robust defence of an unfairly maligned age.’
*Spectator*

‘This book contains much valuable material summarised with commendable no-nonsense clarity… James Hannam has done a fine job of knocking down an old caricature.’
*Sunday Telegraph*

‘Takes a comprehensive but accessible look at the way modern scientific thinking developed from the firm foundations of the Medieval world.’
*James Preece, Lovingit*

‘A well-researched, fluently written account of a fascinating period in western intellectual history...a rewarding read...audaciously wide-ranging.’
*Jonathan Wright, Catholic Herald*

‘Hannam’s absorbing study brings to light the true breadth of scientific discovery during the ‘Dark Ages.’’
*School House Magazine*

‘a fascinating exploration of the Medieval world, the author of this book, James Hannam, shows just how wrong it is to accept all the old popular myths about decay and ignorance.’
*Tom Kennedy, Science Spin*

‘Wonderful... with engaging fervour, James Hannam has set about rescuing the reputation of a bunch of half-forgotten thinkers, and he shows how they paved the way for modern science.’
*Boris Johnson, Mail on Sunday*

‘He has produced a well-researched, fluently written account of a fascinating period in western intellectual history. Hannam clearly understands the science (and some of it is dazzlingly sophisticated) and he has an eye for the seductive story. This is a rewarding read and its author wears his considerable learning lightly.... the best parts of this book are a triumph.’
*Catholic Herald*

‘Hannam has written a splendid book and fully supported his claim that the Middle Ages laid the foundations of modern science.’
*Edward Grant, Metascience*

'Hannam, the liveliest of guides, makes enjoyable reading out of some seriously dusty history and difficult ideas.'
*Scotsman*

'Here, in short, is a readable book, aimed at an intelligent but ignorant layman. You'll enjoy it.'
*Daniel Hannan MEP, Daily Telegraph*

'Hannam...gives us a great sense of the porousness of the medieval mind.'
*Spectator*