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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Galileo?
Like Michelangelo, Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name--a name that is synonymous with scientific achievement. Born in Pisa, Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era's great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. From there, not even the sky was the limit! He turned long-held notions about the universe topsy turvy with his support of a sun-centric solar system. Patricia Brennan Demuth offers a sympathetic portrait of a brilliant man who lived in a time when speaking scientific truth to those in power was still a dangerous proposition.
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2015
243 people are currently reading
846 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
April 2, 2017
Another great man and thinker
Too bad some religious people with think they know more than those that study the sciences. Our many yesterdays and today!
Too bad some religious people with think they know more than those that study the sciences. Our many yesterdays and today!
October 3, 2021
*This review has some spoilers about the life of Galileo*
Who Was Galileo? was the Who HQ book that sparked my, and my son’s, love of this informative and fun series. We were so excited to try out one of these slim, non-fiction paperbacks with the amusing bobblehead covers when searching the library’s website.
We highly enjoyed the rudimentary summary of Galileo’s experiments and discoveries and were deeply frustrated by all that he had to deal with when battling the Inquisition in Rome.
Galileo’s defence of the belief originally put forth by the mathematician Copernicus – that the planets, including Earth, orbited around the sun – was contradictory to the teachings of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who believed that the Earth was the centre of the universe and everything else orbited it.
The Catholic Church, at that time, saw the denial of Aristotle’s beliefs to be heresy, and as such Galileo became disgraced and was banished to house arrest for the last eight years of his life.
Eventually, in 1992, Pope John Paul II proclaimed his despair over the church having persecuted Galileo and his later proven scientific assertions. Too little too late, as they say, but a nod to science and truth, nonetheless.
After enjoying its concise information and the black and white sketches adorned throughout, I decided to take a peek and see if there were any more books in the series available at my favourite discount bookstore. As it turned out, there was a whole slew of these little historical gems just waiting for me, and we now have a big pile to draw from, so stay tuned for our thoughts.
To see my blog post discussing the similarities between Galileo and Jesus, click here.
Who Was Galileo? was the Who HQ book that sparked my, and my son’s, love of this informative and fun series. We were so excited to try out one of these slim, non-fiction paperbacks with the amusing bobblehead covers when searching the library’s website.
We highly enjoyed the rudimentary summary of Galileo’s experiments and discoveries and were deeply frustrated by all that he had to deal with when battling the Inquisition in Rome.
Galileo’s defence of the belief originally put forth by the mathematician Copernicus – that the planets, including Earth, orbited around the sun – was contradictory to the teachings of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who believed that the Earth was the centre of the universe and everything else orbited it.
The Catholic Church, at that time, saw the denial of Aristotle’s beliefs to be heresy, and as such Galileo became disgraced and was banished to house arrest for the last eight years of his life.
Eventually, in 1992, Pope John Paul II proclaimed his despair over the church having persecuted Galileo and his later proven scientific assertions. Too little too late, as they say, but a nod to science and truth, nonetheless.
After enjoying its concise information and the black and white sketches adorned throughout, I decided to take a peek and see if there were any more books in the series available at my favourite discount bookstore. As it turned out, there was a whole slew of these little historical gems just waiting for me, and we now have a big pile to draw from, so stay tuned for our thoughts.
To see my blog post discussing the similarities between Galileo and Jesus, click here.
September 5, 2022
عالم عظيم لا يستحق ما فعل به في نهاية حياته وهو طاعن بالسن من محاكمة جعلته يتراجع عن أفكاره العلمية بسبب سلطة دينية (ما جاء بالقلعة جنب البحر).
August 4, 2025
Who Was…? biography series for middle grade fascinates with the story of Galileo – the father of modern science who proved Copernicus’ theory that Sun doesn’t circle the Earth.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was born in Pisa, Italy. His father was a musician who also wrote books about music theory. There were strict rules even for composing. His father liked to question those strict rules. And that’s something that Galileo learned from his father to question in search of truth.
From childhood, Galileo was very curious, taking apart machines to see how they worked. He even invented some toys. He also liked music and drawing. During his time, very few people attended university. His father was determined to give his smart son the best possible education.
In 1581, Galileo enrolled at University of Pisa, where he liked to argue about ideas. His classmates nicknamed him “the Wrangler.” He poured himself into study of math. He noticed that a pendulum swinging wide and fast takes the same amount of time to go back and forth as when it slows nearly to a stop.
At nineteen, he’d discovered a mathematical law. He was the first one to use a scientific method. Thus, he is known as the father of modern science.
After four years, he left university without any degree. He returned home which was now Florence, where his family lived. He privately taught math and gave lectures.
Meanwhile, he continued to do his own research. He was interested in nature and how the energy and water worked. It led him to invent a water pump which helped farmers irrigate their crops.
Later, he invented a scale and published a book about it. Word spread out about his outstanding work, and he was offered a job in mathematics as professor at University of Pisa. But the thinking here was still too restricted for him.
Then, came a position at University of Padua which was a much better fit for him as it was a freethinking place. His brilliant reputation continued to grow.
In 1957, he invented compass. Then, thermometer.
In 1609, he heard of a spyglass being invented. He set to work to make his own spyglass. After improving his own telescope, he turned it toward the heavens and observed it. He uncovered an outstanding number of heavenly secrets.
His next book made him famous all over Europe. He also secured a patron - Grand Duke Cosimo II Medici. Thus, he was able to leave his job in Padua and return to Florence where he could fully dedicate himself to research.
After observing the sky, he proved what Copernicus noticed in 1543 that it’s the earth that moves and not the sun. The attacks against him grew as he continued to make findings that clashed with old ideas.
He was silenced by the Church and later charged with heresy at the age of seventy. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest and was never to publish another book.
What restored his spirit was going back to studying motion. He invented a better clock. His last book about motion and matter was smuggled to Holland in 1638 where it was published and became important groundwork for future scientists, including Isaac Newton.
This biography epitomizes a man who, because of his curious mind and constant questioning, was able to discover so much like Leonardo da Vinci before him.
This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 7-11, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.
Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was born in Pisa, Italy. His father was a musician who also wrote books about music theory. There were strict rules even for composing. His father liked to question those strict rules. And that’s something that Galileo learned from his father to question in search of truth.
From childhood, Galileo was very curious, taking apart machines to see how they worked. He even invented some toys. He also liked music and drawing. During his time, very few people attended university. His father was determined to give his smart son the best possible education.
In 1581, Galileo enrolled at University of Pisa, where he liked to argue about ideas. His classmates nicknamed him “the Wrangler.” He poured himself into study of math. He noticed that a pendulum swinging wide and fast takes the same amount of time to go back and forth as when it slows nearly to a stop.
At nineteen, he’d discovered a mathematical law. He was the first one to use a scientific method. Thus, he is known as the father of modern science.
After four years, he left university without any degree. He returned home which was now Florence, where his family lived. He privately taught math and gave lectures.
Meanwhile, he continued to do his own research. He was interested in nature and how the energy and water worked. It led him to invent a water pump which helped farmers irrigate their crops.
Later, he invented a scale and published a book about it. Word spread out about his outstanding work, and he was offered a job in mathematics as professor at University of Pisa. But the thinking here was still too restricted for him.
Then, came a position at University of Padua which was a much better fit for him as it was a freethinking place. His brilliant reputation continued to grow.
In 1957, he invented compass. Then, thermometer.
In 1609, he heard of a spyglass being invented. He set to work to make his own spyglass. After improving his own telescope, he turned it toward the heavens and observed it. He uncovered an outstanding number of heavenly secrets.
His next book made him famous all over Europe. He also secured a patron - Grand Duke Cosimo II Medici. Thus, he was able to leave his job in Padua and return to Florence where he could fully dedicate himself to research.
After observing the sky, he proved what Copernicus noticed in 1543 that it’s the earth that moves and not the sun. The attacks against him grew as he continued to make findings that clashed with old ideas.
He was silenced by the Church and later charged with heresy at the age of seventy. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest and was never to publish another book.
What restored his spirit was going back to studying motion. He invented a better clock. His last book about motion and matter was smuggled to Holland in 1638 where it was published and became important groundwork for future scientists, including Isaac Newton.
This biography epitomizes a man who, because of his curious mind and constant questioning, was able to discover so much like Leonardo da Vinci before him.
This illustrated biography for young readers, ages 7-11, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences, and insightful inserts.
May 30, 2019
Can't help but admire this guy knowing he came from a sort of working class background where his father wanted him to study medicine but he didn't like it and did Maths instead. And was so brilliant his 'superiors' were jealous of him and he didn't wear the silly robes like them and so he left. He got the last laugh.
He was religious and believe the Bible to be sacred and sacrosanct but believed in his science. No wonder he's remembered today, he had integrity and courage to face up against the conniving Inquisition. The previous Pope liked him and believed in his theory.
The only drawback was the author mentions 2 judges wouldn't sign the final verdict but doesn't say how many judges there were. I don't really want to research the Inquisition because it's truly horrible and sad. Fuck the Church.
He was religious and believe the Bible to be sacred and sacrosanct but believed in his science. No wonder he's remembered today, he had integrity and courage to face up against the conniving Inquisition. The previous Pope liked him and believed in his theory.
The only drawback was the author mentions 2 judges wouldn't sign the final verdict but doesn't say how many judges there were. I don't really want to research the Inquisition because it's truly horrible and sad. Fuck the Church.
February 7, 2019
We enjoyed this so much! The kids were really intrigued and couldn’t wait to read this each night. Even our 5 yr old retained some facts about Galileo.
The Who Was books are fantastic reads. Hate the cover art, but the content is fascinating and captivating. I always walk away with having learned something myself too!
The Who Was books are fantastic reads. Hate the cover art, but the content is fascinating and captivating. I always walk away with having learned something myself too!
September 14, 2025
Very educational, I definitely recommend for school, or a read aloud!
It covered a lot of things in his life that you wouldn’t have found
without looking up a million things. Also I was appalled at how the pope, the church,
And the people who didn’t believe him acted. And how Galileo Went and wrote an entire dialog
About how stupid he was being and how they had a club that called them pigeon brains.
Reminded me of that one song in Hamilton where Alexander and Aron Bur are bad mouthing each other
Via mail.
( sorry I don’t remember the name of it 🤣🤣🤣)
Anyway it was a pretty good book!
(Ok the song is called “your obedient servant”)
It covered a lot of things in his life that you wouldn’t have found
without looking up a million things. Also I was appalled at how the pope, the church,
And the people who didn’t believe him acted. And how Galileo Went and wrote an entire dialog
About how stupid he was being and how they had a club that called them pigeon brains.
Reminded me of that one song in Hamilton where Alexander and Aron Bur are bad mouthing each other
Via mail.
( sorry I don’t remember the name of it 🤣🤣🤣)
Anyway it was a pretty good book!
(Ok the song is called “your obedient servant”)
October 5, 2021
This is a children's history book about Galileo. What an interesting life he led! He was Italian and never married amazingly enough. He was treated unjustly for some of his discoveries. I can't help but think if he had been a little more PR minded, he could have presented things differently and not antagonized his enemies. But who really knows. He pushed people to consider realities beyond what was acceptable at the time and suffered for it. Today everyone knows he was right and he is viewed admirably. I enjoyed reading this.
November 27, 2023
I am desperate to meet my 2023 reading goal so I’ve been on the hunt for short reads lol. I read a few books from this series when I was way younger and remember throughly enjoying them. Honestly, I would highly recommend to any adult looking for a little history lesson but broken down in a palatable form. Sometimes I’m in the mood to learn about something historical but I don’t have the time or mental bandwidth for a textbook. 🍕 🌎🌟
May 10, 2018
Galileo was amazing!
The Father of Modern Science as dubbed by Einstein, he was able to improve the telescope to the point where he could see the moons of Jupiter!
His experiments with motion set the stage for Isaac Newton.
His publication, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, was a masterpiece finally demonstrating to the world that Copernicus was correct.
The absurd and dangerous consequences of said piece are a quintessential example of religious oppression of scientists and intellectuals.
Just as many religious zealots today demand that Darwin’s ideas should be taught as “just a theory”, the Church of Galileo’s day forced him to present his facts as just something not proven, and then banned his ideas altogether.
The moral is that we should never allow religion to impede science, and we should listen carefully to scientists when they announce a new discovery.
The Father of Modern Science as dubbed by Einstein, he was able to improve the telescope to the point where he could see the moons of Jupiter!
His experiments with motion set the stage for Isaac Newton.
His publication, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, was a masterpiece finally demonstrating to the world that Copernicus was correct.
The absurd and dangerous consequences of said piece are a quintessential example of religious oppression of scientists and intellectuals.
Just as many religious zealots today demand that Darwin’s ideas should be taught as “just a theory”, the Church of Galileo’s day forced him to present his facts as just something not proven, and then banned his ideas altogether.
The moral is that we should never allow religion to impede science, and we should listen carefully to scientists when they announce a new discovery.
January 17, 2025
Really loved reading this book. It taught me so many things about who Galileo was and the world he was living in. It also taught me to believe what l think and to have my own mine. Also really helped me understand how I can do things in my own way.
April 10, 2022
Extremely interesting biography - it's amazing what geniuses are capable of.
Top 5 things I learned/found interesting
- He was a devout Catholic that felt religion and science do not need to interfere with each other
- He had 3 children with a woman that he could not marry due to her lower social status - who then went on to marry someone else later
- He discovered pendulum theory, that objects fall at the same rate regardless of size (gravity hadn't been discovered yet), invented a bunch of things including a thermometer and a pump, and was a gifted writer and artist
- Even though his ideas could have been seen as heresy, he had enough friends and influence that he was left alone for the most part - until he was 70 when the church finally hushed him up
- Even though he was on house arrest for the rest of his life, he had many visitors and students keeping him company - he didn't die for his scientific beliefs
Top 5 things I learned/found interesting
- He was a devout Catholic that felt religion and science do not need to interfere with each other
- He had 3 children with a woman that he could not marry due to her lower social status - who then went on to marry someone else later
- He discovered pendulum theory, that objects fall at the same rate regardless of size (gravity hadn't been discovered yet), invented a bunch of things including a thermometer and a pump, and was a gifted writer and artist
- Even though his ideas could have been seen as heresy, he had enough friends and influence that he was left alone for the most part - until he was 70 when the church finally hushed him up
- Even though he was on house arrest for the rest of his life, he had many visitors and students keeping him company - he didn't die for his scientific beliefs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2018
Another quick, engaging, and informative read from the "Who was?" series. Galileo's story is a frustrating but excellent starting point for a discussion about the challenges of a theocratic culture on scientific and societal progress. The 11-year-old and I read this to complement our history lesson about the age of enlightenment.
August 28, 2020
Rare giant of scientific advancement
April 11, 2019
This book was very good I loved it.This book was about A man named Galileo and he discovered new things about space and how different planets and stars worked.Because he discovered new things in space it caused anger towards his catholic church.This really made me sad because they were punishing him for what he believed.But I could understand why they got mad because they didn't want other people apart of the catholic church to believe it either.I would recommend this book for people that are in love with space and measurements because it will really change your thinking on how you think of scienece.
April 13, 2018
This one man came up with so many discoveries and inventions! Just amazing! The world we live in today, we don't fully understand the struggles and sometimes the dedication that these legends went through. He gave us the telescope, pendulum and a bunch of other things . Quick read too !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2023
Very interesting how Galileo learned so much about our solar system at a time when they did not have very good equipment, but he still found a way to discover things that other people could not. That is why he is considered the father of modern science.
November 26, 2019
Some people are so famous and well known that they only need one name: Adele, Bono. Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Elvis to name but a few. But the list would be incomplete without Galileo, renowned for his many scientific achievements and contributions to the rebirth of knowledge during Europe's Renaissance. One of his most well known was his invention of the telescope with which he was able to study the heavens making discoveries that threatened prevailing wisdom. Author Patricia Brennan Demuth presents all this and much more in her quick-read book Who Was Galileo? When his discoveries led him to conclude that the sun did nor revolve around the earth as was commonly believed, he bumped up against the Church that was fully behind the idea that the Earth was the center of the universe. Galileo was tried and convicted, sentenced to home arrest, and forced to recant his factual discoveries and refer to them simply as a theory. Well written and loaded with facts about one of the great minds I definitely recommend this for all readers.
April 12, 2024
(Contains spoilers)
In a very catchy manner, the book tells Galileo’s life story, covering major events starting from his childhood. In addition to his scientific findings, the book also briefly covers Galileo’s personal life. Galileo had a passion for astronomy and physics and supported the work of Copernicus. But during Galileo’s time, heliocentrism was considered heresy by the Catholic Roman Church. Throughout the book, I was biting on my nails hoping Galileo would eventually be able to publish his work without prosecution. It didn’t turn out to be a happy ending as he was sentenced to lifetime house arrest because he published his ideas. What really touched me was how the book describes his final years. Galileo became blind during house arrest, yet it didn’t stop him from continuing his research as his pupils were assisting him until he died.
In a very catchy manner, the book tells Galileo’s life story, covering major events starting from his childhood. In addition to his scientific findings, the book also briefly covers Galileo’s personal life. Galileo had a passion for astronomy and physics and supported the work of Copernicus. But during Galileo’s time, heliocentrism was considered heresy by the Catholic Roman Church. Throughout the book, I was biting on my nails hoping Galileo would eventually be able to publish his work without prosecution. It didn’t turn out to be a happy ending as he was sentenced to lifetime house arrest because he published his ideas. What really touched me was how the book describes his final years. Galileo became blind during house arrest, yet it didn’t stop him from continuing his research as his pupils were assisting him until he died.
October 28, 2017
Wonderful book! And you feel great that you can read (or listen to in my case) the whole book in one sitting. I even had my mother listen to the whole book with me after I had finished an hour later. There is so much incredible information written in a most comprehensive manner that makes science and math seem easy and fun, certainly fascinating. Galileo discovered the mathematical formula of the pendulum swing, the telescope which allowed him to make more astronomical discoveries than any other person to date, and the thermometer, amongst so many other things.
February 13, 2018
What an interesting life of a scholar ahead of his time. I love his commitment to family throughout his life and the apologies and recognition he got after death although it's sad it's after death. elementary and up
February 14, 2017
This was the first time we've read a book from this series aloud. I'll certainly get another.
March 6, 2017
Good book of a crazy amazing life!
December 31, 2017
The idea of this series is great for kids (and many adults I suspect). Didn’t have all that much detail, but did capture main elements of the life story of Galileo in reasonable writing.
January 4, 2018
The book was interesting and I loved it.
February 24, 2018
I loved reading this one with my daughter.
March 30, 2018
This dude is a smart cookie.
March 4, 2023
It was about the life of Galileo. He was a scientist. My favorite part was when Galileo studied the moon. My least favorite part was when he died.
November 21, 2021
I loved this book! Written in a funny and informative way, read it for my history homework!!
December 2, 2018
Before reading this little book , I don't know that Galileo is not the first person who say Earth is evolving the Sun. The first proponent is Copernicus in Poland. GaliLeo was born on the same year as William Shakespeare. In English, they have the protestant Queen. In the continental Europe, the Pope was still very powerful. For Galileo to repute anything empirically against the teaching of Bible and Aristotelian University at that time was unthinkable. He did, though very carefully, still with a cost, of home arrest for the rest of his life from 70. He lived a long life.
He was the first person to do experiments to rest out his idea. He was the first person to use this approach, a scientific approach. He discovered the mathematical law of pendulum, a pump, a balance to measure the how much silver or gold inside mixed metals. He even invented thermometer and a military compass. He challenged Aristotle's idea of heavy objects fall faster while he was watching different sizes of hailstones fall at the same speed which was later perfected by Newton's law of motion. University of Padua offerred him a job. He became the head of the Maths department.
Later he made his own telescope. From his observation of moon, he reputed Aristotle's idea that the surface of Moon was smooth. Later he found four satellites of Jupiter. With the support of Medici family, he wrote his book , the Starry Messenger. From his observation of phases of Venus, he came up with the idea that Venus is revolving the Sun, so as the Earth. He, with his status at the time, tried to talk with the Pope. He tried to write in dialogues, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, to oblige with the rule of the church at the time. However, the Pope changed side and put him in house arrest.
It's after his death that his view of universe was accepted.
The book is a good book to show what a scientific method is and its cost.
He was the first person to do experiments to rest out his idea. He was the first person to use this approach, a scientific approach. He discovered the mathematical law of pendulum, a pump, a balance to measure the how much silver or gold inside mixed metals. He even invented thermometer and a military compass. He challenged Aristotle's idea of heavy objects fall faster while he was watching different sizes of hailstones fall at the same speed which was later perfected by Newton's law of motion. University of Padua offerred him a job. He became the head of the Maths department.
Later he made his own telescope. From his observation of moon, he reputed Aristotle's idea that the surface of Moon was smooth. Later he found four satellites of Jupiter. With the support of Medici family, he wrote his book , the Starry Messenger. From his observation of phases of Venus, he came up with the idea that Venus is revolving the Sun, so as the Earth. He, with his status at the time, tried to talk with the Pope. He tried to write in dialogues, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, to oblige with the rule of the church at the time. However, the Pope changed side and put him in house arrest.
It's after his death that his view of universe was accepted.
The book is a good book to show what a scientific method is and its cost.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews