This book attempts to pay tribute to the achievements of many gifted people whose theories, discoveries and inventions, sometimes reaching sheer genius have shaped the world. It is arranged mostly in chronological form to make it possible to trace the tremendous progress made in just a few centuries. Occasionally a name will be repeated as one scientific discipline finds an affinity with another and this makes it even more intriguing.
The high level of interest and knowledge among members of the public is displayed in all types of subjects in quiz sessions in clubs, pubs and on television etc: To cater for this a section of the book has been devoted to adding set questions, over 300, on the subjects covered in the book but many times that number may easily be derived from the narrative.