A few years ago I read Stephen Hawking's book, A Brief History Of Time, and found it very interesting. Aside from describing the current theories regarding the formation of the universe, it provided a clear summary of the development of science and astronomy in the time of Kepler, Newton, etc.

Later I read Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle (starting with Quicksilver), which is a series of novels set during the 1600s-1800s and featuring many of the same notable characters; particularly Isaac Newton. It provided a different look at the same period; based in historical fact, but expanded with fiction to produce an engaging narrative of the development of Natural Philosophy (later, Science).

I just came across a third, more amusing approach. Ellie has prepared a briefer, more l33t rendition of Hawking's A Brief History Of Time for those without the patience to read all 224 pages of the original. A Brief Brief History Of Time is kind of like a mixture of Stephen Hawking and Miss Doxie, and it's great.