Lost Discoveries

I finished The Hobbit, and with some reservation, I began Lost Discoveries by Dick Teresi.  It seems like the book will be reasonably interesting, but after The Hobbit I wanted to jump into LOTR. (My guide to italics did not cover abbreviated titles!  Thoughts, grammar nerds?)  I did not do this, because I am trying to purge hardcover books first (as they weigh more, and I am trying to cut 30lbs from my luggage).  As such, The Fellowship of the Ring will be a reward for learning about the lost scientific discoveries of man, owing, largely it seems, to a Euro-centric culture (though I am only on page 12).