Faraday: The Life

Une version en anglais est après le français.Dans la première moitié du XIXe siècle, ce qui est devenu connu (de la France) sous le nom de révolution industrielle, a tout changé. Pour ceux qui souhaitent en savoir plus sur Faraday ou JMW Turner ou Constable ou sur les complications de la vie politique, culturelle et commerciale en Angleterre aux prises avec le « progrès », je recommande fortement toutes les recherches très minutieuses de James Hamilton, mais très faciles à lire des livres. C'est un plaisir supplémentaire de constater que la puissance du personnage de Turner est toujours là aussi : parfois lointaine ; parfois très proches. Je ne connais aucun autre auteur qui embrasse avec autant de brio un aspect aussi insaisissable de la première moitié du XIXe siècle.English version:In the first half of the 19th century, what became known (from France) as the Industrial Revolution, changed everything. For those that wish to know of Faraday or JMW Turner or Constable or the complications of political, cultural and business life in England grappling with 'progress', I strongly recommend all of James Hamilton's very carefully-researched, yet very-easy-to-read, books. It's an additional pleasure to note that the power of the character of Turner is always there too: sometimes distant; sometimes very close. I know of no other author that embraces such an elusive aspect of the first half of the 19th centruy so brilliantly.

Even if you are not particularly interested in Faraday or the development of science and technology in the 19th century, you should read this terrific book! Hamilton has produced a near perfect biography, setting Faraday's achievements in a detailed and sumptuously populated world of science, philosophy, art & politics. The research is impeccable, but Hamilton's style means that the citations and provenance never gets in the way of the inspiring story.

An excellent biography written by an expert in art, oddly. I found myself deeply sympathising with Faraday, one of history's good people, as well as an utter genius.