Readers will travel back in time to ancient Babylonia, Egypt, and Greece. They will meet the world's first astronomers, mathematicians, and physicists and explore the lives and ideas of such famous people as Pythagoras, Archimedes, Brahmagupta, al-Khwarizmi, Fibonacci, Ptolemy, St. Augustine, and St. Thomas Aquinas. Hakim will introduce them to Aristotle--one of the greatest philosophers of all time--whose scientific ideas dominated much of the world for eighteen centuries.
In the three-book "The Story of Science" series, master storyteller Joy Hakim narrates the evolution of scientific thought from ancient times to the present. With lively, character-driven narrative, Hakim spotlights the achievements of some of the world's greatest scientists and encourages a similiar spirit of inquiry in readers. The books include hundreds of color photographs, charts, maps, and diagrams; informative sidebars; suggestions for further reading; and excerpts from the writings of great scientists.

The first contemporary translation of the 1,000-year-old text at the foundation of modern medicine and biology - Presents the actual words of Avicenna translated directly from the original Arabic, removing the inaccuracies and errors of most translators - Explains current medical interpretations and ways to apply Avicennas concepts today, particularly for individualized medicine - Reveals how Avicennas understanding of the "humors" corresponds directly with the biomedical classes known today as proteins, lipids, and organic acids A millennium after his life, Avicenna remains one of the most highly regarded physicians of all time. His "Canon of Medicine," also known as the "Qanun," is one of the most famous and influential books in the history of medicine, forming the basis for our modern understanding of human health and disease. It focused not simply on the treatment of symptoms, but on finding the cause of illness through humoral diagnosis--a method still used in traditional Unani and Ayurvedic medicines in India. Originally written in Arabic, Avicennas "Canon" was long ago translated into Latin, Persian, and Urdu, yet many of the inaccuracies from those first translations linger in current English translations. Translated directly from the original Arabic, this volume includes detailed commentary to explain current biomedical interpretations of Avicennas theories and ways to apply his treatments today, particularly for individualized medicine. It shows how Avicennas understanding of the humors corresponds directly with the biomedical definition of proteins, lipids, and organic acids: the nutrient building blocks of our blood and body. With this new translation of the first volume of his monumental work, Avicennas "Canon" becomes just as relevant today as it was 1,000 years ago.