James Poskett rethinks the history of knowledge, challenging the idea that modern science is exclusively a Western invention. He convincingly demonstrates how progress arises from collaboration and the exchange of knowledge among brilliant minds from different countries around the world. From the important contributions of Arab scholars to European science to the richness of ancient Chinese medicine, botany, and pharmacology—the book reveals the diversity of scientific achievements beyond the familiar geographical and cultural boundaries. Readers learn about an Ottoman astronomer captured by pirates, an African slave searching for medicinal herbs on South American plantations, and a Mexican geneticist collecting blood samples from Olympic athletes. Acknowledging the significance of the traditional scientific canon, the author pays attention to the political context that shaped scientific discourse, offering a comprehensive view of the history of science.