Galileo: Watcher of the Skies book

Galileo: Watcher of the Skies by David Wootton (Author). Galileo (1564-1642) is one of the most important and controversial figures in the historical past of science. A hero of modern science and the key to its beginning, he was also a deeply divided man: a scholar dedicated to the institution of scientific fact but forced to concede the significance of religion, and a superb analyst of the elegant mathematical workings of nature but bungling and insensitive together with his personal family.

Tackling Galileo as astronomer, engineer, and creator, David Wootton places him in the middle of Renaissance culture. He traces Galileo through his early rebellious years; the beginnings of his scientific profession establishing a “new physics”; his transfer to Florence seeking cash, standing, and better freedom to assault mental orthodoxies; his trial for heresy and slim escape from torture; and his house arrest and physical (though not intellectual) decline. Wootton reveals a lot that is new-from Galileo’s premature Copernicanism to a beforehand unrecognized illegitimate daughter-and, controversially, rejects the long-established orthodoxy which holds that Galileo was a very good Catholic.

Completely central to Galileo’s significance-and to science extra broadly-is the telescope, the potential of which Galileo was the first to grasp. Wootton makes clear that it completely revolutionized and galvanized scientific endeavor to find new and beforehand unimagined facts. Drawing extensively on Galileo’s voluminous letters, many of which had been self-censored and sly, this is a unique, arresting, and extremely readable biography of a tough, exceptional Renaissance genius.

Mr. Wooten's Galileo comes alive early on and keeps the reader's attention. As one reviewer already famous, that is an educational therapy that's truly a web page turner. Mr. Wooten makes use of a topical/thematic approach to chronicling the life of the "first scientist." (Wooten's method is very similar to Joseph Ellis' little thematic biography of John Adams, Passionate Sage.) Utilizing quick, however targeted chapters the readers positive factors an appreciation for Galileo as a person in full; sensible, visionary, and flawed.

Two other glorious evaluations are posted, so I'll highlight the portion which truly stunned me. In Galileo's time, reliance on imaginative and prescient/sight was not encouraged. Certainly, Wooten points out the Church adopted the example of Thomas within the New Testament the place on being confronted with a resurrected Christ didn't imagine his eyes, and insisted on "touching" as proof. I found this tidbit enlightening, and a marked difference from our age where "seeing is believing."

This title was my first exposure to any work of length detailing Galileo's life; but an informative and entertaining introduction!

Highly recommended. 

Galileo: Watcher of the Skies 

David Wootton (Author)

354 pages

Yale University Press; First Edition edition (November 2, 2010)

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