[brg]

I would very much suggest both biographical and idea focused sources.

For me, the absolute best written is Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes. It covers a large swatch of British Science from Newton to Maxwell.

Other good reads are

1. The Invention of Science by Wootton (which is very academic in style),

2. The Wizard and the Prophet by Mann

3. Galileo At Work by Drake

4. Newton by Gleik.