The Western Intellectual Tradition: From Leonardo to Hegel is an excellent overview of the subject. It is very readable and avoids jargon. While the primary emphasis is not on science, it does examine some of the (often ignored) effects on historical intellectual progress furnished by the evolving sciences. The analysis is well-balanced and to the point. It identifies the important issues and addresses them directly.

Solid five stars, recommended for every reader, whether or not particularly interested in the western intellectual tradition. Academic authorities in this rather broad subject may yet find interest in this. I suspect that most already have read it. ( )

Bronowski was a towering intellect yet, filled with a passion that flowed through his work. My view is that he represented a role model not only as an intellectual, but as a human being. Here, in a single volume, he tackles thought from the Renaissance to Hegel. A wonderful, yet dense read. ( )

This was a well written history Western European ideas from the Renaissance to the mid 19th century. The authors do a good job at pinning down key moments when political, philosophical, economic, social and religious ideas changed and how this came about. So overwhelming was this revolution in thought that it now underlies western and a lot of the world's culture today. The value and potential of the individual. That is the key cultural gift that western Europe has given the world. ( )

2112 The Western Intellectual Tradition: From Leonardo to Hegel, by J. Bronowski [&] Bruce Mazlish (read 26 Nov 1987) I found this book quite absorbing, and not too difficult. It is set up in three parts--"The Expanding World: From Leonardo toe Galileo, 1500-1630" and "The Age of Reasoned Dissent: From Cromwell to Rousseau, 1630-1760" and "The Great Revolutions: From Smith to Hegel, 1760-1780." It is really well-done and I am greatly interested in reading more in intellectual history; it seems more worthwhile reading than some of the reading I do. ( )