Peter Barker recounts the story of sailing solo across the Indian Ocean from Australia to South Africa. At the age of 53, put his career into the wardrobe along with his pinstriped suits and did what he always wanted to do - sail around the world on his own. In 2007, he discovered the challenge and vulnerability of solo sailing; knocking himself unconscious; having his boat knocked down twice in a storm; escaping disaster after almost being blown on to a reef and, at all times, testing his nerve to the limit. Peter savoured weeks of being alone in a big, blue sea. He lived a rigorous routine...

Presents new work in history and historiography to the increasingly broad audience for studies of the history and philosophy of science. These essays are linked by a concern to understand the context of early modern science in its own context.