1001 Ideas That Changed the Way We Think
As the title reveals, this work covers ideas that have inspired humankind and changed our lives. Entries are listed chronologically, and the first is “Human Control of Fire,” estimated to have occurred around 1,600,000 BCE, while the last entry is “Not-Junk DNA,” regarding the human genome work done in 2012.   Some entries are well-known events, such as Sir Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity and President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. However, a wide variety of topics are discussed, including Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Fountain of youth, Allegory of the cave, Robin Hood, Public library, Freudian slip, Santa Claus, Gray’s Anatomy (the book, not the television show), and Robotics, to name but a few.   The brief entries are arranged in sections covering “Ancient World (Pre 500 CE),” “Middle Ages (500–1449),” “Early Modern (1450–1779),” “Late Modern (1780–1899),” “Early 20th Century (1900–1949),” and “Contemporary (1950–present).” A keyword index at the beginning of the book divides entries into “Art and Architecture,” “Philosophy,” “Politics and Society,” “Psychology,” “Religion,” and “Science and Technology,” and there is a general index at the end. Colorful illustrations and photographs are found throughout the book—at least one and often more on every other page. This entertaining and informative book is recommended for both public and academic libraries. --Rachael Elrod