This website contains the entire text of J. Arthur Thomson's The Outline of Science first published in 1922. It is a far-reaching classic on the history of science. The text of the book (over 90,000 words) is posted on this blog and it is not copyrighted in the U.S. so you can do pretty much whatever you want with it (although, I am not a lawyer, so double check the laws in your local jurisdiction.

You can begin at the beginning: The Outline of Science, go to specific chapters that interest your or feel free to use the search box for specific topics and ideas that interest you.

In chapter one of the Outline of Science, Professor Thomson treats us to a tour of the universe including, early theories concerning the nature and scale of the universe, early ideas about other universes and the scale and scope of the sun, moon, planets and stars, in a chapter appropriately entitled, The Romance of the Universe. In chapter two, we are treated to a history of life on the earth including the first organisms on the earth, the first sea and land animals and the story of evolution including changes in complexity and structure.

In chapter three we see how the various types of life on this planet create adaptations to their environment on sea, earth and sky. Chapter four is a relatively short chapter that speaks to "disguise and elusiveness": The Struggle for Existence.

In chapter five we are treated to various "proofs" of modern man's kinship with his simian ancestors: The Ascent of Man

The final three chapters of The Outline of Science concern evolution, mind and the universe. Chapter six, Evolution Going On. Chapter seven, The Dawn of Mind And finally, from atoms to x-rays to ether, chapter eight, The Foundations of the Universe