Two of the boldest and most creative scientists of all time were Michael Faraday 17911867 and James Clerk Maxwell 18311879. This is the story of how these men separated in age by forty years discovered the existence of the electromagnetic field and devised a radically new theory which overturned the strictly mechanical view of the world that had prevailed since Newtons time.The authors veteran science writers with expertise in physics and engineering have created a lively narrative that interweaves rich biographical detail from each mans life with clear explanations of their scientific accomplishments. Faraday was an autodidact who overcame class prejudice and a lack of mathematical training to become renowned for his acute powers of experimental observation technological skills and prodigious scientific imagination.