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This book offers an engaging and concise exploration of human reasoning, scientific advancement, and the philosophy of technology. Reviewers consistently praise its historical overview of science, tracing its evolution from Aristotle's era to the mid-1980s. This section is particularly lauded for its brilliant and simple explanations of fundamental shifts, such as the difference between Aristotelian and post-Scientific Revolution thought, and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on scientific incentives. Discussions on topics like Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and the role of pseudoscience are highlighted as insightful. Many found the book easy to read, with short chapters, and appreciated its neutral, enlightening treatment of science's development across centuries. The author's foresight regarding the need for a broader planetary understanding and the societal impact of technology is also noted as remarkably prescient and relevant even today.

However, some reviewers found the book's later chapters, which delve into a pessimistic assessment of 1980s technology and its future implications, to be less compelling. These sections, written before the widespread advent of personal computing, the internet, and smartphones, are sometimes seen as overly skeptical or dated, with many of the author's expressed doubts not having materialized. Reviewers felt that the analysis in these later parts became less neutral and more "value-laden" compared to the objective historical overview. One critique also suggested that the historical narrative could have been more nuanced by including instances where early natural science supported now-disproven theories.

Overall, the book is considered a thought-provoking and insightful journey into the history and philosophy of science and technology. While its historical analysis is widely regarded as a strength for its clarity and depth, its prognostications on future technology are met with mixed reactions, often seen as a valuable historical snapshot of societal anxieties rather than a perfect prediction. It is recommended for readers interested in the philosophical underpinnings of science, its historical development, and the societal implications of technological progress, particularly those who appreciate a concise and accessible overview that encourages reflection on past and present concerns.