Paula Findlen

Paula Findlen teaches history at Stanford University and is the author of Possessing Nature: Museums, Collecting, and Scientific Culture in Early Modern Italy.

The Selden map.

Before Europe’s Intrusion Before Europe’s Intrusion

A 17th-century map reinforces what few other than historians of China have known: It was an open and diverse world with a long tradition of maritime commerce.

Jan 21, 2016 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

From Visionary to the Fringe

From Visionary to the Fringe From Visionary to the Fringe

Immanuel Velikovsky’s strange quest for a scientific theory of everything

Mar 26, 2014 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

Kircher’s Cosmos: On Athanasius Kircher

Kircher’s Cosmos: On Athanasius Kircher Kircher’s Cosmos: On Athanasius Kircher

How did a man who got so many things wrong become an intellectual celebrity in his own lifetime?

Apr 3, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

Scissor Work: On the Unintended Reformation Scissor Work: On the Unintended Reformation

Brad Gregory wants to upend how we think about the emergence of capitalism, secularism and individualism.

Aug 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

Galileo’s Credo

Galileo’s Credo Galileo’s Credo

Two new biographies differ over the astronomer’s view of the relationship between science and faith.

Feb 15, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

Before the Flood: Information Before the Information Age Before the Flood: Information Before the Information Age

Ann Blair’s Too Much to Know explains how across the centuries the profusion of information has always inspired readers to invent shortcuts to knowledge.

Apr 13, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

The Enhancement of the Senses The Enhancement of the Senses

In The Age of Wonder, Richard Holmes lucidly charts how the Romantics were as transfixed by the failures of science as they were by its bright accomplishments.

May 12, 2010 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

A Hungry Mind: Giordano Bruno, Philosopher and Heretic A Hungry Mind: Giordano Bruno, Philosopher and Heretic

Ingrid Rowland's Giordano Bruno rediscovers the Renaissance philosopher and heretic.

Sep 10, 2008 / Books & the Arts / Paula Findlen

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