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Galileo: Astronomer And Physicist
Presents the life and work of the sixteenth-century Italian astronomer and physicist.
112 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 7, 2014
An excellent introduction to and overview of Galileo's life and work. This book is heftier than it looks at first blush, and is beautifully illustrated. And Doak is skilled at blending history with science, and humanizes Galileo with her use of anecdotes and quotes.
I have loved the story of his older daughter, Virginia (later Sister Maria Celeste), since reading Dava Sobel's "Galileo's Daughter," and this book includes wonderful information about her relationship with her father -- the fact, for instance, that biological sisters were not supposed to be placed in the same convent together, but that Galileo pulled some strings so that Virginia and her sister Livia would be allowed to be together. And Doak includes this beautiful quote from a letter Virginia wrote after Galileo was freed from prison and allowed to live out the rest of his life under house arrest:
"There are two pigeons in the dovecote waiting for you to come and eat them; there are beans in the garden waiting for you to pick them. ...When you were in Rome, I said to myself: 'If he were only at Siena!' Now that you are at Siena [where Galileo was staying with a sympathetic archbishop] I say: 'If only he were at home! But God's will be done."
But this book's main focus is, of course, how Galileo pretty much invented the idea that science ought to be about testing, experimenting, and observing, rather than obediently accepting logical ideas that have been passed down by (admittedly brilliant) thinkers.
An outstanding book for intelligent readers of all ages.
I have loved the story of his older daughter, Virginia (later Sister Maria Celeste), since reading Dava Sobel's "Galileo's Daughter," and this book includes wonderful information about her relationship with her father -- the fact, for instance, that biological sisters were not supposed to be placed in the same convent together, but that Galileo pulled some strings so that Virginia and her sister Livia would be allowed to be together. And Doak includes this beautiful quote from a letter Virginia wrote after Galileo was freed from prison and allowed to live out the rest of his life under house arrest:
"There are two pigeons in the dovecote waiting for you to come and eat them; there are beans in the garden waiting for you to pick them. ...When you were in Rome, I said to myself: 'If he were only at Siena!' Now that you are at Siena [where Galileo was staying with a sympathetic archbishop] I say: 'If only he were at home! But God's will be done."
But this book's main focus is, of course, how Galileo pretty much invented the idea that science ought to be about testing, experimenting, and observing, rather than obediently accepting logical ideas that have been passed down by (admittedly brilliant) thinkers.
An outstanding book for intelligent readers of all ages.
September 17, 2019
This book was quite enjoyable to read. It is written for kids rather than as a comprehensive compilation of Galileo's life. That said, it's a good, succinct review for adults.
February 9, 2022
My eldest and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Galileo and his life as I read this book aloud to him.
March 24, 2022
Great short synopsis of Galileo's life.
October 5, 2014
This was very informative and interesting. The writing was not bad. I wrote a full sixteen notecards on this for a school project, and I could absolutely write more. I might not rate it so highly if I had just picked it up for fun, but as a study resource, I would recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews