From the reign of Charles II to the early 19th century, a curious Almanac - part 'teach-yourself mathematics', part political satire - promoted the use of science in everyday life and trades. Benjamin Wardaugh tells the story of the rumbustious 'Poor Robin of Saffron Walden', and the rise of popular science in Georgian England.

This biography of Benjamin Franllin (1706 - 1790) gives a very interesting account of the life of one of America's founding fathers. In particular, the author discusses his religious journey. Many thought of Franklin as having no religion, or at best a weird one. Fisher explains very clearly this aspect of his life.