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Summary
Summary
Four hundred years ago, Galileo Galilei first used the telescope to gaze at the heavens. In honor of that anniversary, as well as the international year of astronomy, this lavishly illustrated volume celebrates Galileo's life and work.
Written by internationally renowned BBC science correspondent Dr. David Whitehouse--the world's most cited science journalist-- Renaissance Genius paints a fascinating portrait of the astronomer. Beautifully written, gorgeously packaged, and eminently knowledgeable, it offers a smart alternative to dry, academic studies of the subject. Dr. Whitehouse invites the reader to journey into the world of the Italian Renaissance at a crucial time of change--when science clashed with a church still mired in a medieval mindset. He helps us fully appreciate Galileo's revolutionary discoveries...and his role in opening up the cosmos to all mankind.
Author Notes
David Whitehouse is Executive Director of the Corning Museum of Glass, New York and a leading authority on Roman, Islamic, and medieval glass. He lives in Corning.
Reviews (2)
Booklist Review
Timed for the four-hundredth anniversary of Galileo's great astronomical discoveries with the telescope, this illustrated biography is an efficient and perceptive introduction to his personality and historic scientific achievements. Himself a scientist and author of popular works such as The Sun (2005), Whitehouse writes with empathy for Galileo's impetus to connect with the reading public of his day, which he achieved with the sensational announcements in his 1610 book The Starry Messenger. Interestingly, Whitehouse sees the discovery of Jupiter's moons as a by-product of Galileo's midlife crisis. Successful but not famous, Galileo knew that the telescope could make his name, and he pounced on the opportunity. While the arc of Whitehouse's narrative curves along Galileo's relationships with the powerful of Renaissance Florence and Rome, culminating in his ordeal before the Inquisition, its inclusion of Galileo's family life, by tapping into Dava Sobel's Galileo's Daughter (1999), renders a humanized portrait. Supported by a book design whose elements are colorful, cosmic, and subtle, Whitehouse's volume should prove highly attractive to students and recreational readers of scientific history.--Taylor, Gilbert Copyright 2009 Booklist
Choice Review
This lavishly illustrated book (it might almost be called a picture book with narrative) does not provide much new information about Galileo's life in comparison to previous works on Galileo. Much of the narrative covers the telescope, Galileo's use of it to observe the moons of Jupiter, and his assertion that Copernicus was indeed correct in saying that the sun is the center of the solar system and Earth revolves about it. For this heresy, Galileo was found guilty of going against church teachings and, forced to abjure his writings, ended his days nearly blind and forbidden from receiving visitors in his villa. He was found guilty in 1633 and vindicated by the church in 1992. Whitehouse (science journalist/author) includes several fascinating tidbits regarding Galileo's problems as head of his family, e.g., marrying off sisters, supporting a profligate brother. Additionally, he talks about Galileo's relationship with his daughters, who both entered nunneries. The reproductions of the verdict against Galileo and his abjuration of his beliefs is a unique feature of the volume. The writing style is very readable, and the many pictures are aesthetically pleasing and informative. Not a book for serious researchers, but excellent for general readers who wish to learn more about Galileo. Summing Up: Recommended. General/public libraries. C. G. Wood formerly, Eastern Maine Community College
