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Conversations with Newton
Imagined by one of the world's foremost Newton scholars, this fictionalized conversation presents the essential biography of one of the greatest scientific minds of all time
Isaac Newton's influence on our world is immense. He formulated the theory of gravity, devised a radical new theory of light and created a calculus that would revolutionize mathematics. His theory of matter in motion sparked the Industrial Revolution. But there was far more to Newton even than these great discoveries.
Opening with an informative foreword by the bestselling author of The Body Bill Bryson, the book is then divided into two parts: a biographical essay that provides a concise overview of Newton's life, upbringing, education and achievements; and a Q&A dialogue based on rigorous research and incorporating Newton's actual spoken or written words whenever possible. Biographer Michael White brings Newton to life through detailed research and giving Newton a free voice to tell you about his unorthodox upbringing, his eminent political career, his bitter feuds with rivals and his secret explorations of the occult.
Isaac Newton's influence on our world is immense. He formulated the theory of gravity, devised a radical new theory of light and created a calculus that would revolutionize mathematics. His theory of matter in motion sparked the Industrial Revolution. But there was far more to Newton even than these great discoveries.
Opening with an informative foreword by the bestselling author of The Body Bill Bryson, the book is then divided into two parts: a biographical essay that provides a concise overview of Newton's life, upbringing, education and achievements; and a Q&A dialogue based on rigorous research and incorporating Newton's actual spoken or written words whenever possible. Biographer Michael White brings Newton to life through detailed research and giving Newton a free voice to tell you about his unorthodox upbringing, his eminent political career, his bitter feuds with rivals and his secret explorations of the occult.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
8 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Michael White
46 books138 followersMichael 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).
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).
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
February 20, 2020
I thought this was a really good potted biography of Isaac Newton. It is the third I’ve tried in this series (after Galileo and Einstein) and it is definitely the best so far.
The book is commendably brief and begins with a summary of Newton’s life and achievements, which I thought was excellent. The “conversations” which follow were also very good, reading like genuine conversation and giving an insight into both the man and his work. I thought the sections on how Newton viewed his alchemical studies and his religious research and analysis as an important part of his thinking about the physical world were especially interesting, but it’s all very well done. Michael White doesn’t shy away from Newton’s arrogant, quarrelsome and vindictive personality - but thankfully avoids the sort of vacuous “psychoanalysis” which Frank Manuel indulged in.
Anyone seeking a brief but accurate and readable account of Newton’s extraordinary achievements and lasting influence, plus a good feel for the man himself should enjoy this very much. I was surprised and delighted by how good it was and I can recommend it very warmly.
The book is commendably brief and begins with a summary of Newton’s life and achievements, which I thought was excellent. The “conversations” which follow were also very good, reading like genuine conversation and giving an insight into both the man and his work. I thought the sections on how Newton viewed his alchemical studies and his religious research and analysis as an important part of his thinking about the physical world were especially interesting, but it’s all very well done. Michael White doesn’t shy away from Newton’s arrogant, quarrelsome and vindictive personality - but thankfully avoids the sort of vacuous “psychoanalysis” which Frank Manuel indulged in.
Anyone seeking a brief but accurate and readable account of Newton’s extraordinary achievements and lasting influence, plus a good feel for the man himself should enjoy this very much. I was surprised and delighted by how good it was and I can recommend it very warmly.
January 29, 2020
This is a short book with an biography of Newton, and then a faked interview session where Newton answers questions about his life. The series has been renamed Conversations with ... some well known person and is a good light summary of Newton's life. It would be a good book for an advanced reader in public school.
June 29, 2017
I think for people who aren't very much inclined towards Science would definitely enjoy this witty portrayal of one of my favorite scientists and one of the few people I idolize. Good stuff.
August 19, 2020
Purchase Coffee with Isaac Newton here for just $5!
A fictionalised interview with one of the greatest scientific minds in history. The man who invented the cat flap, the slightly smaller cat flap, and superstitiously claimed there were 7 colours in the visible spectrum because 6 is an unlucky number. Oh and I usppose there was the whole gravity thing too if you want to focus on that.
Ciaran- The Book Grocer
A fictionalised interview with one of the greatest scientific minds in history. The man who invented the cat flap, the slightly smaller cat flap, and superstitiously claimed there were 7 colours in the visible spectrum because 6 is an unlucky number. Oh and I usppose there was the whole gravity thing too if you want to focus on that.
Ciaran- The Book Grocer
May 3, 2020
finishing this book while waiting my laundry done by the lake. This one is light reading not like the previous one tho. Here’s the thing: I used to hate ‘knowledge’ that sir Isaac creat but after I read this, I might changed my mind lol
You guys need to try read this book with drinking cup of coffee. It might really really like you were with him talking 😂😂
You guys need to try read this book with drinking cup of coffee. It might really really like you were with him talking 😂😂
January 30, 2019
can't say nothing, it's a nice pocket of new information science and a few history
May 19, 2019
Simpler shorter biography for those who wants to know and brush the top of the subject
April 13, 2020
I love the concept of this book, as if we converse with Isaac Newton himself. I just know that he's a spiritual whom also into occultism
January 20, 2021
This book throws light on the part of the Newton's life , which we never exposed to or taught. The imaginary conversation is so unique way to write a biography, it is very engaging. Worth read once.
May 3, 2021
Good, fun read
July 2, 2021
Very brief, but interesting enough. Kudos to the author's creativity to make it into an interview session. Funny to imagine Isaac Newton arrogant ghost.
September 13, 2021
A slim but informative volume. Interesting format - it was written as a journalist's interview.
August 2, 2023
A quick and entertaining read. There are some inaccuracies and anachronisms with the interview, but overall informative.
November 30, 2023
I very much enjoyed the interview format of this book. A great synopsis of Newton's life, discoveries, his influences and contemporaries.
January 29, 2020
A painless introduction to Newton’s life and work
No matter how bad they were in science class, everyone knows about Sir Isaac Newton and his laws of gravity, and those who stayed awake a bit longer certainly remember his three laws of motion, his work in optics, and his invention of calculus (assuming Leibniz did not get there first). Many also know that Newton was not a very sociable person and never married, but fewer know about his very extensive interest in alchemy and the occult tradition.
In Conversations with Newton the reader gets an introduction to Newton’s life and his work as told by the man himself in fictional conversation with author Michael White. As one of those who did stay awake in science class, I did not need the explanation of his main contributions to science, although I believe they were fairly clearly explained. It was interesting to hear his perspective on who influenced his thinking: who he admired, such as Archimedes and Galileo, and who he considered somewhat over-rated, such as Aristotle.
Newton’s life, however, is not something they cover in science class. Sir Isaac was not just not very sociable; he was rather secretive, downright disagreeable, and jealous. His argument with Gottfried Leibniz over who invented calculus was well-known, but he had long feuds with many other leading lights of his day, like Robert Hooke of the Royal Society. Sir Isaac is not hesitant to express his opinions of those he disagrees with in his conversation, and I suspect that this is just how he would be if the conversation were not fictional!
It is also generally known that Newton was interested in alchemy, which is not that surprising given the state of scientific knowledge and investigation in his era. His alchemical investigations were actually quite extensive, even though such work was illegal and punishable by death. Newton genuinely believed that alchemy and other mystical principles could help him in his quest for knowledge.
If you would like a quick introduction to one of the greatest minds of modern times, you, too, might just want to have a conversation with Sir Isaac Newton.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advance Review copy of this book.
No matter how bad they were in science class, everyone knows about Sir Isaac Newton and his laws of gravity, and those who stayed awake a bit longer certainly remember his three laws of motion, his work in optics, and his invention of calculus (assuming Leibniz did not get there first). Many also know that Newton was not a very sociable person and never married, but fewer know about his very extensive interest in alchemy and the occult tradition.
In Conversations with Newton the reader gets an introduction to Newton’s life and his work as told by the man himself in fictional conversation with author Michael White. As one of those who did stay awake in science class, I did not need the explanation of his main contributions to science, although I believe they were fairly clearly explained. It was interesting to hear his perspective on who influenced his thinking: who he admired, such as Archimedes and Galileo, and who he considered somewhat over-rated, such as Aristotle.
Newton’s life, however, is not something they cover in science class. Sir Isaac was not just not very sociable; he was rather secretive, downright disagreeable, and jealous. His argument with Gottfried Leibniz over who invented calculus was well-known, but he had long feuds with many other leading lights of his day, like Robert Hooke of the Royal Society. Sir Isaac is not hesitant to express his opinions of those he disagrees with in his conversation, and I suspect that this is just how he would be if the conversation were not fictional!
It is also generally known that Newton was interested in alchemy, which is not that surprising given the state of scientific knowledge and investigation in his era. His alchemical investigations were actually quite extensive, even though such work was illegal and punishable by death. Newton genuinely believed that alchemy and other mystical principles could help him in his quest for knowledge.
If you would like a quick introduction to one of the greatest minds of modern times, you, too, might just want to have a conversation with Sir Isaac Newton.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advance Review copy of this book.
July 16, 2023
Michael White is the author of Conversations with Isaac Newton: A Fictional Dialogue Based on Biographical Facts was published in 2020. It was originally published as Coffee with Isaac Newton in 2008. It is the 38th book I completed reading in 2023.
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book as G.
The book starts with a brief biography of 17th-century figure Isaac Newton. It covers his early life as a mathematician and scientist. His time as Master of the Royal Mint and as President of the Royal Society is also discussed.
The book then gives a hypothetical conversation between the author and Newton. It covers 14 different subject areas. Included are alchemy, the occult, gravity, and optics.
I enjoyed the 2 hours I spent reading this 129-page biography. Newton is portrayed as a brilliant but somewhat cantankerous character. The book contains a brief explanation of his most important works is given. If you are interested in science, you will enjoy this book. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this book a rating of 4.4 (rounded to 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! I categorize this book as G.
The book starts with a brief biography of 17th-century figure Isaac Newton. It covers his early life as a mathematician and scientist. His time as Master of the Royal Mint and as President of the Royal Society is also discussed.
The book then gives a hypothetical conversation between the author and Newton. It covers 14 different subject areas. Included are alchemy, the occult, gravity, and optics.
I enjoyed the 2 hours I spent reading this 129-page biography. Newton is portrayed as a brilliant but somewhat cantankerous character. The book contains a brief explanation of his most important works is given. If you are interested in science, you will enjoy this book. I do like the chosen cover art. I give this book a rating of 4.4 (rounded to 4) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
March 31, 2020
My thanks to Watkins Publishing for a digital edition via NetGalley of ‘Conversations with Isaac Newton’ by Michael White with an Introduction by Bill Bryson in exchange for an honest review.
From publisher:
‘Imagined by one of the world's foremost Newton scholars, this fictionalized conversation presents the essential biography of one of the greatest scientific minds of all time.’
This is one of a series of fictional dialogues of famous men published by Watkins based on biographical facts.
I was interested in knowing more about the life and work of Isaac Newton. His interest in alchemy and the occult has tended to be downplayed in accounts of his life. I had every confidence that Watkins Publishing, given their history as an imprint, would honour this part of his work. In addition, Michael White wrote an important biography, ‘Isaac Newton: the Last Sorcerer’, that brought this aspect of Newton’s life and work to the fore.
I felt using the concept of a conversation was a very interesting way to frame a short biography and thought that it flowed well. I would think it also suitable as an introductory biography for students.
White concludes with a useful list of suggestions for further reading.
From publisher:
‘Imagined by one of the world's foremost Newton scholars, this fictionalized conversation presents the essential biography of one of the greatest scientific minds of all time.’
This is one of a series of fictional dialogues of famous men published by Watkins based on biographical facts.
I was interested in knowing more about the life and work of Isaac Newton. His interest in alchemy and the occult has tended to be downplayed in accounts of his life. I had every confidence that Watkins Publishing, given their history as an imprint, would honour this part of his work. In addition, Michael White wrote an important biography, ‘Isaac Newton: the Last Sorcerer’, that brought this aspect of Newton’s life and work to the fore.
I felt using the concept of a conversation was a very interesting way to frame a short biography and thought that it flowed well. I would think it also suitable as an introductory biography for students.
White concludes with a useful list of suggestions for further reading.
March 8, 2020
A novel method of presentation of the life of a fascinating figure in the history of science. Isaac Newton was highly intelligent and skilled. He also did things and lived a life that would surprise most of us.
The first third of the book is a brief factual biography of Newton. It touches on some of the major points in his life as well as a few of the controversies. The rest is an imagined back and forth interview with Newton. This portion presents much the same information as the first part, but presented in a question/answer format with each section preceded with a summary of the biographical topic.
If you are just being introduced to Newton or want to know more about the life of one of the giants of science, this work would be a good introduction to the topic.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of this book.
The first third of the book is a brief factual biography of Newton. It touches on some of the major points in his life as well as a few of the controversies. The rest is an imagined back and forth interview with Newton. This portion presents much the same information as the first part, but presented in a question/answer format with each section preceded with a summary of the biographical topic.
If you are just being introduced to Newton or want to know more about the life of one of the giants of science, this work would be a good introduction to the topic.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of this book.
March 8, 2020
The third for me from this series of reprinted and rebranded "Coffee With…" books, and the one that taught me the most. Yes I knew the laws of motion and some of the other bits, but I think Newton was so removed in time, however his greatness and legacy, that I had never been taught anything like a full grounding of the man and his works. So this cod conversation, a fictional Q&A from perhaps just before his death mask was prepared, was quite eye-opening, especially where Newton's religious fervour and love of the arcane and the occult was concerned. All three books were sprightly in their educational qualities, and all three (Einstein and Freud the others, by the way) come recommended. I doubt the others in the series are failures, either.
February 20, 2014
In the end, Coffee with Isaac Newton was OK. I think this book and this series would be very good for someone who doesn't know anything about the person interviewed. If you've read two biographies of the person previously, these books will give you nothing new. However, much like the Dummies books, I think they can be very nice and quick introductions.
The concept of the series is intriguing, but realistically speaking, a good interview takes two independent active minds participating, so the book, and I suspect the series, won't live up to its possibility due to that difficulty. However, the book was good enough for me to try another in the series.
The concept of the series is intriguing, but realistically speaking, a good interview takes two independent active minds participating, so the book, and I suspect the series, won't live up to its possibility due to that difficulty. However, the book was good enough for me to try another in the series.
December 30, 2025
Coffee with Isaac Newton is an engaging and accessible exploration of science told through imagined conversations with some of history’s greatest minds. What makes this book enjoyable is its conversational tone. Rather than presenting science as intimidating or overly technical, the author invites readers into relaxed, café-style discussions that reveal the personalities, struggles, and curiosity behind famous scientific breakthroughs.
December 31, 2011
Very illuminating creating a portrait of the man few really knew. An odd sort of fellow indeed, but well-blessed with a keen intellect and varied interests.
September 11, 2018
The "Coffee with" books are a wonderful way to get to know many famous figures from history. They are from the UK and written by experts who take the role of the main character.
Read
December 30, 2016An OK book, but a bit repetitive. The best was really the introduction after that it was a bit speculative.
July 18, 2010
Light, engaging and amusing.
April 24, 2018
Wow! So arrogant and unexpectedly a strong believer but the idea that force is mediated through Jesus Christ was eccentric. He also seemed a bit cruel to people who he does not like. Good, quick read.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews