PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
José G. Perillán received a joint doctorate in Physics and History from the University of Rochester in 2011. Currently, he is Assistant Professor at Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY), holding a joint appointment in the Physics and Astronomy Department and the Multidisciplinary Program on Science, Technology, and Society. The present book on Myth-History emerges from the author's experience teaching undergraduate courses in physics, history of science, and science, technology, & society. In preparing his varied courses, Perillán moves fluidly among frameworks and modalities. He has harnessed the adaptability and empathy necessary for this relentless pivoting to carve out a common ground from which to reflexively engage the scientific past.
It is commonplace, among historians of science, that the histories written by scientists are often myths, with more or less hidden agendas. Yet there is surprisingly little serious literature on the origin, nature, purpose, and (undesired) effects of these myths. The present book fills this gap in a highly competent way. The author knows very well the relevant literature, his examples are well chosen, his analyses are well-informed, subtle, and well-balanced. * Olivier Darrigol, CNRS, France * This book should be of interest to historians of science, STS people and to a wider group of people including scientists and a general readership interested in pop science. I could see it being used in teaching introductory STS and history of science courses. * Trevor Pinch, Cornell University *
