A Short History of Biology

by Isaac Asimov

1964, American Museum Science Books (B6)

In 400 B.C., when Hippocrates wrote a book claiming that epilepsy, the "sacred disease," was a natural disorder and not a visitation of demons, the science of biology may be said to have begun.

Since then, curious naturalists have studied animals and plants, doctors have sought answers to very practical questions. The science of biology has grown slowly at first, stopping and starting again, and building in the last century to a crescendo that has not yet reached its peak.

This concise, authoritative book traces the exciting development of the science of life, from the ancient Greeks through the monumental achievement of Charles Darwin to the explosive growth of molecular biology that is resulting in today's great breakthroughs in genetics and medicine.

Written by Isaac Asimov, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Boston University and author of numerous books on science, this is a highly readable, vivid introduction to the history and concepts of biology.

American Museum Science Books offer to the student and general reader up-to-date and authoritative writings in the life and earth sciences, including anthropology and astronomy. These books are published for The American Museum of Natural History by the Natural History Press.

Pages largely unmarked except for some underlining, some penciled notations inside front cover, and an ownership inscription. Very mild wear, rubbing and creasing to cover at spine and edges.