Science and the Making of the Modern World

While this is starting to show signs of age, published in 1984, this is still one of the better history of science texts available; an excellent text for an undergraduate class. The focus is primarily after 1650. Where this text succeeds is in its analysis of the social effects of discovery. This is a great primer to other texts that can focus in more detail, such as Charles Gillispie's 16 volume, Dictionary of Scientific Biography, for technical depth, and Anthony Alioto, A History of Western Science for analysis and insight.

I read this book as a requirement for an upper division class in college. This book pulled together everything that I'd been learning: science, art, philosophy, politics. It broadened my view point and showed me that scientific discoveries, philosophical views, art movements--everything we, as people, do influences something or someone else.