Great discoveries

Draws on the words, proofs, and diagrams of sixteenth-century Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus to examine the lasting impact his work had on intellectual history and his own beliefs about his theories and their importance.

Details the astronomic discoveries of William Herschel, who discovered the seventh planet, and also did work with his sister Caroline to produce the first map of the night sky.

Examines the life and science of Richard Feynman, focusing on his role in some of the key physics advances of the twentieth century, and includes short physics lessons related to each of his discoveries.

Examines the life and work of mathematician and logician, Kurt Godel, briefly looking at his early scholarly life, then describing the elements of contradiction is his life that lead to his formulation of the Incompleteness Theorem--a groundbreaking work in twentieth century science.

Examines the life and works of Charles Darwin beginning after his five-year, around the world trip on the survey ship "Beagle," and focuses on the factors that led to his work on the "Origin of the Species.".

Chronicles the life of Ernest Rutherford, focusing on his revolutionary ideas on modern physics and the discoveries he made that changed the study of science in the nineteenth century.

Presents a narrative biography of British mathematician Alan Turing, providing information on his childhood, his family, his homosexuality, and his achievements in math and science.

Physicist Michio Kaku explains how Albert Einstein saw the world, explaining how two simple mental images led to two of his most important discoveries and how his later ideas came to scientific fruition after his lifetime.

Chronicles nineteenth-century Hungarian doctor Ign?c Semmelweis's discovery that physicians must wash their hands to prevent infection of patients, and his losing struggle with the ingrained medical establishment to make it change its practices.