I've never been a huge fan of 19th century Romantics, but this books makes the convincing case that rolling in the grass and writing emo poetry set the stage for the modern world, unleashing the imagination that allowed Joseph Banks to appreciate Polynesian culture, the astonishing self-absorption of William and Caroline Herschel as they scanned deep space and the boat-rocking of Mary Shelly to suggest the horrific consequences of meddling with nature. This is particularly notable for the even-handed inclusion of 19th century women in science and the much-needed portrait of George III as a thoughtful and intelligent patron of science and technology.