Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer

by Michael White

Science writer Michael White's subtitle, The Last Sorcerer, echoes John Maynard Keynes's assertion in 1942 that Isaac Newton (1642-1727) was not the Olympian rationalist portrayed by his worshipful early biographers. Newton was a great scientist, the author acknowledges; he was also an "obsessive, driven mystic," deeply involved in the pseudoscience of alchemy, subscriber to a heretical sect of Christianity, and damaged survivor of childhood traumas that rendered him a difficult, egotistical, quarrelsome adult. White makes recent research accessible to the general reader in lucid prose that knocks the academic dust off a towering historical figure.

Genres: Biography, Science, History, Nonfiction, Alchemy, Physics, Philosophy

416 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 1997

About the author

Michael White was a British writer who was based in Perth, Australia. He studied at King's College London (1977–1982) and was a chemistry lecturer at d'Overbroeck's College, Oxford (1984–1991).
He was a science editor of British GQ, a columnist for the Sunday Express in London and, 'in a previous incarnation', he was a member of Colour Me Pop. Colour Me Pop featured on the "Europe in the Year Zero" EP in 1982 with Yazoo and Sudeten Creche and he was then a member of the group The Thompson Twins (1982). He moved to Australia in 2002 and was made an Honorary Research Fellow at Curtin University in 2005.
He was the author of thirty-five books: these include Stephen Hawking: A Life in Science; Leonardo: The First Scientist; Tolkien: A Biography; and C. S. Lewis: The Boy Who Chronicled Narnia. His first novel Equinox – thriller, an occult mystery reached the Top Ten in the bestseller list in the UK and has been translated into 35 languages. His non-fiction production included the biography Galileo: Antichrist. Novels following Equinox include The Medici Secret, The Borgia Ring and The Art of Murder.
White wrote under two further names, Tom West and Sam Fisher. He used the latter pseudonym to publish the E-Force trilogy, State of Emergency, Aftershock, and Nano.
A further novel by White, The Venetian Detective, features characters including Galileo and Elizabeth.
White wrote a biography of Isaac Newton, The Last Sorcerer. He was both short-listed and long-listed for the Aventis prize. Rivals was short-listed in 2002, and The Fruits of War long-listed in 2006. He was also nominated for the Ned Kelly Prize for First Novel (for Equinox in 2007).

Reviews

[Michael Finocchiaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok. I felt that the author repeated himself a lot. Maybe I was spoiled by the pace of Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist or just knew most of the biographical details from that book, but I found the reading of this biography of Isaac Newton to be pretty average.

When I was searching for a Tolkien biography, I passed on Tolkien: A Biography because of the mediocrity of this biography of Newton, preferring this one: Tolkien. Perhaps one of the folks reading this review can advise?

[Arianne X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epistemological Catastrophe

What knowledge is ascertainable by humans? What is knowable? How can we know what is knowable? By what method(s) do we gain knowledge? In what areas should we devote our studies?

The quick answer is to look at the life of Isaac Newton, one of the greatest human minds to have ever existed. When this great mind was applied to the study of mathematics, astronomy, optics, and physics great strides forward were made in human knowledge and in our understanding of the world and the universe. What is lesser known about Newton is that he was still a man with one foot in the Middle Ages earning him the nickname of “The Last Sorcerer”. He devoted a great deal of his time and considerable intellectual effort to alchemy, numerology, religious prophecy, and Bible codes. These efforts amounted to nothing! The same great mind was applied in two distinctly different areas of inquiry, one was fruitful, and one was dead-end. The dead-end was not a result of Newton’s inability. It is reasonable to think that he would have obtained results in the areas of alchemy, numerology, prophecy, and Bible codes if there were any results to be had in these areas as he had in the areas of mathematics, astronomy, optics, and physics. He did not achieve results in alchemy, numerology, prophecy, and Bible codes because results in these areas are not possible.

Sacred texts such as the Bible have been the road to ruin for those who take them too literally, pursued them too feverishly and have taken then too seriously. Many a fine intellect have been wasted and lives devastated by pursuit of holy scripture, Newton was fortunate that he was not one of its victims as he tried to find solutions that satisfied his intellect and fitted with his religious beliefs. Tinkering with prophecy and Biblical interpretation are not real areas of knowledge or activities worthy of human effort other than as hobbies, amusements, or party tricks. They can only be taken seriously in the study of anthropology and history. The application of a great mind such as Newton to two distinctly different areas of study with the very disparate results gives us evidence that science is where knowledge about the human condition is to be found, not in prophecy, theology, numerology, alchemy, astrology etc. If there was something of value to be found in these areas, Newton would have found it. However, the author contends that from alchemy Newton drew the inspiration needed to make the imaginative leap necessary to arrive at the all-encompassing theory of gravity. A central theme of this biography is that Newton arrived at his theory of gravity partly through his exploration of alchemy Biblical theology. This I doubt.

Most of the intellectual effort of the Middle Ages was devoted to and wasted on hermetic traditions and ancient lore. There is nothing of value in theology in the sense of trying to understand and define the nature of a nonexistent God as well as speculations about the properties of a non-existent immortal soul, as well as a fictional after-life of rewards and punishments etc. Muddled works of mumbo jumbo theology, jumbled ramblings of prophecy, and pseudo philosophy of great metaphysical extravagance were created but added nothing to human progress or wellbeing. Theology no longer resonates and has been reduced to no more than a curiosity of intellectual history that should serve as a warning as to how easily human thought can be seduced by myth, highjacked fantasy, and deluded by wishful thinking. In any case, this should serve as strong evidence that topics such as theology are a waste of intellectual effort which should be devoted to the subjects of science which have proven to be additive to human knowledge and wellbeing when pursued by the best minds in the proper manner. Religion circumvents rational thought, enlightened thinking, scientific advancements. We need to outgrow childish needs. Newton unified Galiliean and Kaplerian machanics into a single coherent mathematically provable and experimentally supported scientific theory. This provided nothing less than a fundamentally new understanding of dynamic forces and mechanics thus paving the way for the Industrial Revolution. We are in need of new Newton to unify relativity and quantum mechanics without the religious distractions.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thus far, this is the closest book I have read on Isaac Newton about his extremely dark, creepy, misanthropic soul! This dude's inner life is scary and I love it! I can so relate to it! To be born such a genius--to get a view of life so young that no one on his little farm can possibly understand--was his impetus in the search for meaning 'cause it sure wasn't apparent in the society he inhabited! In order for him to feel anything remotely representing a life of meaning--he had to discover the godliness of the Universe and he spoke its language few can speak! I also know for sure he murdered his compatriots in order to obtain the privileges of a fellow at Cambridge! And I am going to be the one to write the book on it! I only imparted 3 stars cause the author, as do all the others--talk way too much about his successes. I am going to write about the extremely dark nature of this man's soul that lead him to such godlike adoration among scientists.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that Newton is responsible not for the telescope but for the clarity of the lenses of a telescope? And for your reading glasses? And he didn't work for ADM!;-)

I am amazed with all of the accomplishments of this man - who was identified, appropriately, as the most influential person in history. His contributions include math (found a mathematical approach to proving the orbits of the planets around the sun), science (he really didn't 'discover' gravity, rather he proved it), astronomy, alchemy, and government (he designed and oversaw the English mint - he put people to death for shaving coins - rather extreme, but it stopped the practice).

Not surprisingly, Newton's personal life was not as full and was very tumultuous. He isolated himself socially due to his poor self awareness and criticism of those he found 'inferior'. Sad for someone so accomplished.

[Mary Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of us know Isac Newton as one of the most influential scientists of all time. He discovered gravity, calculus, theories on mechanics and optics, the mathematics of orbiting planets. What is less well known is Sir Isaac's fascination with alchemy. That this man of science became somewhat obsessed with "The Great Work" might seem to be a paradox, but White's examination of Newton's writings and alchemical experiments reveal how his dabbling furthered techniques in chemistry and influenced his approach to scientific problem solving in general. He lived at the cusp of the Enlightenment, the movement toward rationality, and yet this most brilliant of minds maintained an unshakable faith and belief in the divine order of all things.

I read this book because I am planning to feature him as a character in book three of my Alchemy Series. Sir Isaac's life offers some great material to work with!

[Ak Hauck · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading about Paracelsus, I re-read this book on Newton. I think the most fascinating thing that comes from reading this and other books about the beginnings of modern science, is that it was borne out of alchemy. We tend to look back on history and judge its famous and infamous figures through the lense of Modernity. Better to let history speak for itself. White does a good job of placing Newton in his times.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography which lays out Newton in an unflattering manner, and describes in great detail his shortcomings. However, you also get a sense of what facilitated this man's great discoveries (calculus most namely) and his publications (Principia). The only aspect preventing me from giving this 5 stars is the occurrence every 50 pages or so of dedicating a page or two to repeating almost verbatim an introduction to a topic as the book closed on said topic rather than summing up what was just described or just moving on to the next topic. It really deserves a 9 out of 10, but I would suggest this to anyone wanting a true narrative of the life of possibly the greatest mind of the 17th century, but also a man delving into topics of alchemy and religious fanaticism.

[Asanka · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I ever meet Sir Isaac Newton in person, I think I wouldn't like his personality. The way he used Flamsteed's observational data without giving due credit or appreciation, and the way he took revenge from Leibniz for co-inventing Calculus appear distasteful to me. After all, we all are human and every "great" human including Sir Isaac Newton is prone to human fallibility. So, I make peace with this great man and move on.

"I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy, playing on the sea shore, and diverting myself, in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me" - Sir Isaac Newton.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, like promised in the beginning, does show some negative sides to Isaac Newton, but it does not dwell on them. Although I have not read any of Isaac Newton's other biographies to make a comparison, I feel that "The Last Sorcerer" was fair and humanized the man. I still came away with a greater appreciation for Isaac Newton and his work. The Last Sorcerer also gives good insight to the Royal Society of the late 1600s and early 1700s. It is incredible the amount of scientific progress that was achieved in a relatively short period of time.

[Cheryl Lassiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone interested enough in the life of Isaac Newton to devote years to researching and writing about it, especially to bring to light one of the more unexplored aspects of his work, is all right in my book.

White's writing is straightforward, easily understood, perhaps in need of a bit of flair in the vein of Stacy Shiff or Deborah Harkness. This was published in 1997, however, in the days before the lively novelistic style met, fell in love with, and eventually married dry old historical nonfiction (to my undying appreciation and gratitude!).

[booksbyg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice written biography on Isaac Newton. Easy to read and some detailed referencing if more information is required. I enjoyed Michael Whites' style of writing, he obviously cares for Newton and his predicaments throughout his life. It amazes me how clever he was and how easily he adapted to different roles in his life. Interesting to note how he was a strict workaholic/work dependant and obviously had some issues due to this. I do wonder where some people get their energy from! Made me tired reading it!

[Keith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I fished this book out of the discard pile at our middle school library. Turns out I should have left it there. Dry as dust, based largely on the (not always supported) conjecture of the author and with a questionable thesis at best. Of course the biggest question I have is - What nimrod thought this was a good book for a middle school library in the first place? I like history, and I like science, and even I thought this was boring.

[T.H. Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was different than what I'd expected - I thought it would contain more detailed mystical elements regarding Newton's work in alchemy (a subject which fascinates me). Nevertheless, it was still fantastic insight into one of the most brilliant minds ever born. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about not only Newton but also his contemporaries, as well as the scientific and political affairs of that period in history and also the role alchemy itself playing in Newton's groundbreaking discoveries. Non-fiction is one of my favorite genres; some non-fiction authors have a tedious style but not Michael White, who I found to be highly engaging and easy to follow -- his wealth of scientific knowledge is impressive indeed and his presentation is not at all plodding or boring; quite the opposite. I came away from this book with conflicting views of the genius that was Isaac Newton; on the one hand you simply can't be anything but in awe of his supreme mind, tenacity, ambition and imagination, yet on the other hand he was a rather wicked bastard who seemed hellbent on creating chaos and acrimony wherever he went, something I absolutely despise and imagine I would have despised the man himself on a personal level, had I known him. Yet the scientific discoveries he gave to his contemporaries as well as to posterity will last for as long as the heavenly bodies whose secrets he so brilliantly unraveled.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read. Learned many things about Newton not known to me before it reading. Enjoyed learning about his time at the Royal Mint. We need people like him today in government. His alchemist interest did not interest me . His social life or lack of it did not surprise me but his reaction to criticism did. This was my 3rd Michael White book and all were 4 star works. I think I have 5 more to read.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing work of Issac Newton.

The author has a full description of the whole life of Newton, from his birth to his death. With the narration of his main dedication of our whole world, the author also contains the normal life of Newton to tell us how these formed this great man.

After reading the book, a whole panaroma of Newtow will be clear in our mind.

[Solomon Mcharo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, reminded me of the first biography I read of Michael Faraday. Gave an introduction to the kind of man Isaac Newton was and the attacks he faced for not playing royal politics. It is clear he had gone past the reach of the most gentile blue bloods to have understood him in time. I share some of his ideas on Christianity.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting approach to learning more about Newton's life and work. Factually useful, but had a fair amount of speculation about Newton's emotional state/psychology/motivations. So, I'm glad I read it, and it was reasonably engaging, and I need to sit with it a bit.

[Geoffrey Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Newton, although mathematical genius, dabbled in alchemy and other arcane arts. He appears to have been rather narcisstic, and could not tolerate any dissention or criticism of his views. Became politically motivated and influential later in life, as scientific prowess faded?

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a interesting read for the most part, however it could be dry at times which is why it took me so long to read it, but overall a good read into the life and times of Sir Isaac Newton.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cosmos to coins, Newton’s life is well worth knowing.

[Gareth]

Newton was an enigma. A scientific genius whose discoveries enabled a worldview without God, he was a passionate Christian whose private researches extended to alchemy, numerology and biblical prophecy. White's book is a careful and well-written account of both these sides, providing insights into Newton's inner life and his legacy.

Gareth Southwell is a philosopher, writer and illustrator.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, Michael White has written an excellent, well researched biography of one of our greatest scientists. He explains in detail how Isaac Newton had a troubled childhood and how this may have adversely affected his personality in later life, leading him to be very secretive, trusting few people and disliking criticism, and resulting in him being reticent to publish his theories. His Principia, for example, was twenty years in the making and when it was published it was in Latin and deliberately written in a way to ensure very few people would be able to understand it.

White also does a good job of explaining the bleak atmosphere at Cambridge University in the 17th century, and the workings and politics of the Royal Society, then in its infancy. Both institutions were very different then to how they are in the 21st century.

As the title of the book suggests, White places much emphasis on Newton's alchemy endeavours, and how Newton saw alchemy as a way of explaining nature and the universe, and providing an insight into the mind of God. To Newton, and to many others of the period, alchemy meant a lot more than transmuting base metals into gold, or finding the elixir of life. Newton was not alone in believing that ancient civilisations had a much fuller understanding of nature, the universe and God and that these revelations had been lost in the mists of time but could be re-discovered through the ancient art of alchemy and by studying the bible. White explains all of this very clearly. Newton carried out an enormous number of alchemical investigations to try to unlock the meaning of life, as well as undertaking detailed analyses of the bible for similar purposes. Whilst I could accept that someone in that era, even someone like Newton, could see good reasons for carrying out alchemy and re-interpreting the bible, unfortunately White didn't convince me that Newton's research in these areas had been crucial to leading him to his conclusions on gravitation. To me that really didn't make sense and in a way this is a pity because it seemed to be an important objective of the book.

Another theme through much of the book was the personal antagonism between Newton and others. A prime example was Newton's abhorrence of Robert Hooke, and vice-versa. This mutual loathing is documented elsewhere but I did feel that White painted Hooke to be blacker than he really was. Other accounts refer to Hooke's popularity and his honesty. I can't help feeling that both scientists were equally to blame for the detestation that existed between them. Likewise, Newton held a grudge against the Astronomer Royal, John Flamsteed, who he felt was hindering his work on the second edition of the Principia by dallying over the provision of astronomical observations. Newton used Machiavellian methods to undermine Flamsteed, even using Prince George as a way of getting at the data. Another victim of Newton's malevolence was the polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz who had independently invented calculus, but who found himself being accused of stealing Newton's (then unpublished) work. Newton was unforgiving of those who he believed had crossed him and he bore grudges against these individuals for ever more.

But from the book we learn that whatever Newton did, he invested all of his efforts into that undertaking, be it carrying out investigations into alchemy, optics and gravitation, running the Royal Mint, or being President of the Royal Society. Over his lifetime he acquired many enemies and seems to have made few friends. And those friends he did make did not always get the loyalty from Newton they may have expected in times of adversity.

Overall, Michael White paints a vivid picture of a genius who was a workaholic but also a vindictive misanthrope who sought to destroy those he fell out with. On the whole a thoroughly nasty individual but one who was nevertheless widely respected for his abilities, if not for his personality. I look forward to reading more biographies by White.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really know what to expect from Newton's life. I had thought, in a hazy way, it followed a simple pattern of five years genius, 50 years crazy alchemy and paranoia. The theme of this book though is that the science, the occultism, and the religious mania can't really be separated and actually fed one another.

Newton was notoriously anti-social as a young man, and if he'd stayed the same all his life it would have been kind of a painful read. But there's a surprising development of character, even well into the 18th century. Kind of hilarious how petty and efficient he was in running the Royal Society to boost his own reputation. And I was vaguely aware he had something to do with the Royal Mint, but did you know he essentially operated as a private investigator for years, chasing down and executing counterfeiters with a network of agents in 11 counties? All while working 16 hour days helping to save the British economy? There's a TV show I'd want to watch.

Kind of got a weird anti-Catholic vibe from the parts about King James, but maybe his motives really were that transparently sinister. Really not so sure about the implications of homosexuality between Newton and Fatio, and Newton and Wickins (maybe he just got on well enough with them to want to live together?), but I guess the trouble with popular histories is you never know how much to trust -- the author certainly spends enough time bashing previous biographers.

Also would have liked to see more mathematical content, especially during the aggravatingly brief summary of the calculus wars. Don't just drop the word "fluxions" around like that and not tell me the whole story, man. It started off okay, inserting entire chapters of background scientific history (glossed over too much in places, but still welcome), but in the sections on the Principia Mathematica it became pretty clear there weren't going to be any laws or equations showing up.

Mostly it made me want to read books about the recurring supporting characters, Leibniz, and Halley, Hooke and the rest of the Royal Society. Wasn't Benjamin Franklin around at the same time? What I actually want is a book where they meet in the late 17th century, and solve mysteries of crime and science together. But this one was pretty diverting.

[Tmillet · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems like biographies are divided into those that place the person at quasi-demigod status and those that are trying to debunk that idea in light of new evidence or difference of opinion etc. If I had to put this book into one of those two categories it would be the latter type. It was a well written and well researched book but I felt like a lot of the book was trying to show how horrible of a person Newton was or how he was possibly homosexual based on the premise that he had a male roommate for so long, (that dialogue went on for far too long). I found out a lot of good information as well but that just didn't seem to be the focus. It's possible I just began reading this in hopes of finding out how great of a man Newton was and became disappointed with the truth that he likely wasn't.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. It was readable even though I know very little about the subject and his experiments. I skipped a few paragraphs where the writing was too technical but I learned so much about Newton and the times in which he lived. I had no idea so many changes occured in such a short time and how some of his theories have held up to this day.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Sir Isaac was a real piece of work, and his character is at least as fascinating as his discoveries. And, best part, no equations! Science without the numbers. Perfect for a math-phobe like me.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of what I read, it seemed a good and well written work. I just ran out of time, got busy and it was due back at the library. Perhaps I'll recheck it and finish it, but I'm not sure.

[Scott Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps not the most scholarly biography ever, but I was looking for something that emphasized Newton's experience with alchemy and occult type things for my research, and this will do.

[W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed it. Gave more depth to the man Isaac Newton was than the general history and science books. Read this back in 2004

[D Enderby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5. Well written and informative. A bit dry at times, and a fair amount of speculation.