Harry Collins and Trevor Pinch liken science to the Golem, a creature from
Jewish mythology, powerful yet potentially dangerous, a gentle, helpful creature
that may yet run amok at any moment. Through a series of intriguing case studies
the authors debunk the traditional view that science is the straightforward
result of competent theorisation, observation and experimentation. The very
well-received first edition generated much debate, reflected in a substantial
new Afterword in this second edition, which seeks to place the book in what have
become known as 'the science wars'.