Jacob Bronowski, a mathematician and biologist, is celebrated for his profound exploration of the human journey through science, most notably in his documentary series 'The Ascent of Man.' His intellectual curiosity, initially sparked by anthropological studies, evolved into a deep inquiry into the origins of knowledge and the power of imagination and symbolic language in scientific progress. Bronowski possessed a remarkable ability to synthesize complex ideas, making the history of human endeavor accessible and compelling to a wide audience. His work is characterized by a thoughtful, humanistic perspective that connects scientific discovery with the broader human experience.
This volume contains poems of sharp clarity as well as his longer, more elegiac verse. From the familiar lyricism of 'The Tiger' and 'The Sick Rose' to the great poems, such as 'Auguries of Innocence' and The Mental Traveller', in which he expands on religious themes and social ideology using powerful symbolism and haunting imagery, this selection demonstrates the depth and scope of his extraordinary genius