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Science: A history 1543-2001 by John Gribbin, Allen Lane, £25, ISBN 0713995033 Reviewed by Jon Turney

HISTORY of science has yet to find a professional who has the narrative flair, writing skill and sheer chutzpah to deliver a single, unfolding story. While the academics focus on their period, on social context and fine-grained close-ups, getting to grips with the whole shebang has been too daunting.

So enter, undaunted, John Gribbin. Our most prolific chronicler of contemporary science has already given us a Brief History of Science for the coffee table. Now he delivers a chunky one-volume history for people who…

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