[katana]

Or read the trilogy Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson. The first book, Quicksilver, revolves around fictional and real life people who established the Royal Society and the study of "Natural Philosophy" (aka science) during the late 17th century.

Believe it or not, this (the development of experimental science, calculus, capitalism, alchemy, and code breaking) is all presented in a thrill ride of a series of three very long and enjoyable novels that also feature the English Civil War, the Restoration, the Siege of Vienna, the Thirty Years War, the Corsair Pirates, stolen gold, Russian assassins, and the Hannoverian monarchy. And no, I am not the author nor do I own any stock in the publishing company.

[PatrickHenry]

Or read the trilogy Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson.

Thanks. I'll look for it.