Patricia Fara looks at a comprehensive account of Robert Boyle, the 17th-century natural philosopher
Graham Southorn on a brief look at the first optical instrument
This is a sparkling introduction to the great naturalist's milieu and the evolution of his ideas, says Christina Hardyment
Jim Bennett welcomes a history of science that succeeds where many others have failed – most notably in being engaging, fresh and ambitious
Patricia Fara enjoys the tale of a radical chemist whose volunteers were eager to take part in his experiments with laughing gas