Galileo: A Life Summary and Reviews

Galileo: A Life
by James Jr. Reston

Galileo: A Life
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Book Summary Information

Author: James Jr. Reston
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2000-01-20
ISBN: 189312262X
Number of pages: 332
Publisher: Beard Books

Book Reviews of Galileo: A Life

Book Review: A FINE ADDITION TO THE BIOGRAPHIES OF AN IMPORTANT FIGURE
Summary: 5 Stars


Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), sometimes called the founder of modern experimental science, butted heads with church authorities, his colleagues, and a number of his patrons.

As recently as little more than a decade ago, the voice of this indefatigable genius was heard again when, some 350 years after being accused, tried and condemned by the Roman Catholic Church for espousing the idea that the Earth moves around the Sun, the Vatican admitted that it was wrong about Galileo.

Galileo's father taught his son music and encouraged him to become a doctor. But, while studying medicine and the philosophy of Aristotle at the University of Pisa, Galileo made his first important discovery - the law of the pendulum. From then on he turned his attention to mathematics.

The time of Galileo is brilliantly evoked by James Reston in this splendidly researched story of an idealistic and egotistical genius. By chronicling Galileo's life in the first person and utilizing his journals, the story becomes an enthralling one for readers as the conflict between science and religion escalates.

Reston's work is a fine addition to the biographical history of one of the most important figures in Western culture.

- Gail Cooke

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