Read what people think about The Philosophical Breakfast Club by Laura J. Snyder, and write your own review.
The Philosophical Breakfast Club
Four Remarkable Friends Who Transformed Science and Changed the World
by
Laura J. Snyder
Published in USA Feb 2011,
448 pages.
Rated of 5
by Jeanne M. (Vancouver, WA) Philosophers Who Would be Scientists
"The Philosophical Breakfast Club," is a stretch for a title in my estimation. While the four philosophers/scientists do have breakfast together early in their academic lives, their connection is more scientific in that they encourage each others efforts in their areas of expertise for more than 50 years. More importantly their thinking and leadership set the stage for the development of 19th Century scientific thought that had previously been promoted as philosophical thought.
The book covers far more than the four friends who are connected through their activities. It extends to the influence they had in the scientific methods that have become standard even in today's world.
Be ready for a long dense read that includes many of the philosophers and scientists of the 19th Century.
Interesting read, though I felt at times that I was back in school reading a textbook.
Rated of 5
by Everett W. (Mount Pleasant, SC) The Philosophical Breakfast Club
I found this book very difficult to get into. After trying several times, I finally gave up. It is written well enough - and certainly well researched -but the topic just isn't engaging, for me at least. I think this book is more directed to - and probably would be thoroughly enjoyed by - professional historians.
Rated of 5
by Peggy H. (North East, PA) Fascinating, But Dry
This book was jam-packed with interesting information about the Victorian era and the four men that it highlights. I was not familiar with three of the four, and the details were well-researched. The style, however, was a bit dry and pedantic. I would have loved to read this as historical research, but as a pick up and read book...it drags a bit.
Rated of 5
by Valerie C. (Chico, CA) Well done
The reading is a little dry in places, but overall well worth the effort to read!
Rated of 5
by Beth T. (Savannah, GA) Enjoyable and Informative
I am SO not a nonfiction reader, but enjoyed this book nevertheless. It's an easy read, most of the time, and the details about the different characters and the time period keep it pretty lively. I think that people who have an interest in science and history will particularly enjoy this book.
Rated of 5
by Mary Ann B. (Louisville, KY) Science in the Making
If you have ever thought about how scientists think, read this book. Much of the process was put into practice by members of the Philosphical Breakfast Club. Of course in the 19th century, philosphical had a somewhat different meaning than today, but these gentlemen shaped how we have come to look at rational thinking in the area of proving theory. One caveat, it does get bogged down with other information, so it takes a while for the meat of the story to emerge.
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Although heavy on the scientific details, which slowed down the story for me (OK, I admit, I was one of those liberal arts majors who skipped out on...
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Loved this book. Magical, quirky, enchanting I could go on. All books do not have to be literary fiction, sometimes it is just so comforting to read...
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of 5
by Jeanne M. (Vancouver, WA) 
of 5
by Everett W. (Mount Pleasant, SC) 
