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Michael Faraday: Father of Electronics
Charles Ludwig retells Michael Faraday's remarkable life story in fictionalized form. Here is the father of the electric motor, the dynamo, the transformer, the generator. Few persons are aware of the brilliant man's deep Christian convictions and his determination to live by the Sermon on the Mount. For ages 12 to 15. 212 Pages.
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 19, 2019
I read this to my boys, and I think they will always remember Michael Faraday. His life was fascinating and inspiring.
I remember enjoying some of Ludwig’s books as a child, but reading this as an adult, I was a little disappointed in the quality of writing. It was less choppy than Joyce MacPherson’s (we read The Ocean Of Truth last year), but the two authors share a tendency to add irrelevant extraneous information to try to make the story come alive. And so Michael Faraday imparts scientific knowledge to his wife around bites of toast, for example. I found this distracting and annoying, so much so that I often edited on the fly while I was reading aloud. All the same, it was an inspiring story and I’m glad to have shared it with my boys.
I remember enjoying some of Ludwig’s books as a child, but reading this as an adult, I was a little disappointed in the quality of writing. It was less choppy than Joyce MacPherson’s (we read The Ocean Of Truth last year), but the two authors share a tendency to add irrelevant extraneous information to try to make the story come alive. And so Michael Faraday imparts scientific knowledge to his wife around bites of toast, for example. I found this distracting and annoying, so much so that I often edited on the fly while I was reading aloud. All the same, it was an inspiring story and I’m glad to have shared it with my boys.
March 21, 2018
Since it was a book written for young readers, it was not terribly gripping or deeply moving, but it was interesting and worth spending the time re-reading after many years. Michael Faraday's curiosity, devotion to experimentation, and dedication to science were inspiring. I was impressed by the way he rose from working-class roots to the pinnacle of science in England in the early developments of chemistry and electricity. His lifelong devotion to Christ is also a helpful example.
June 18, 2023
We read this aloud for school. All of us gave it four stars except MK she gave it three. MD and CN thought it was a good book. MK thought it was slow. I liked that I learned about this amazing man that contributed so much but we hear so little about.
January 12, 2023
2.5 stars. This book is a little heavy-handed and preachy at times. The book wanted to be both historical fiction and a biography. Some scenes were overdone with little vignettes that were most likely made up (people just don’t leave historical documents that have that stuff in them). Other sections had a lot of explaining and narrating — these were often out of chronological sequence, making the timeline confusing. The author heavily emphasized religious dissenters as scientists. This is fine, but it seemed forced. I appreciated that the author frequently spoke about Faraday’s faith, as this was an important part of his life. Another oddity was that the author frequently referenced American people and events. I guess this book was written for an American audience or something, but it was jarring. I don’t think Benjamin Franklin really played a huge role in Faraday’s life since he died before Faraday was born. Yes, he worked with electricity, but, again it seemed forced. Conversations also sounded really odd. So much scientific explaining going on in general conversation. It didn’t sound very natural, and several times much too Modern American. Also, the speech impediment went away quite quickly.
It probably sounds like I didn’t like this book very much. I actually thought it was okay. I’d like to read a better biography of Faraday to compare facts and get a better idea of what parts were his actual personality and what were Ludwig’s embellishments. I also plan to read his Chemical History of a Candle, and maybe some of his other writings.
It probably sounds like I didn’t like this book very much. I actually thought it was okay. I’d like to read a better biography of Faraday to compare facts and get a better idea of what parts were his actual personality and what were Ludwig’s embellishments. I also plan to read his Chemical History of a Candle, and maybe some of his other writings.
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May 5, 2022Determined to understand Newton, he picked up an English translation of his best known work, Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Barely able to follow the thread of thought, Michael snapped the book shut and picked up Galileo's Dialogues on the Two New Sciences.
With Michael's system, he was exposed to each lecture at least four times! (1) When he heard it. (2) When he wrote it out in abbreviated notes. (3) When he enlarged the notes. And (4) when he wrote the entire lecture in his own words.
Isaac Watts' book, The Improvement of the Mind
Sir Humphry's latest book, Elements of Chemical Philosophy
Michael soon discovered that like himself, Sir Humphry had been deeply influenced by a Quaker. This Quaker, Robert Dunkin, had given up his profession as a saddlemaker in order to build scientific instruments.
With Michael's system, he was exposed to each lecture at least four times! (1) When he heard it. (2) When he wrote it out in abbreviated notes. (3) When he enlarged the notes. And (4) when he wrote the entire lecture in his own words.
Isaac Watts' book, The Improvement of the Mind
Sir Humphry's latest book, Elements of Chemical Philosophy
Michael soon discovered that like himself, Sir Humphry had been deeply influenced by a Quaker. This Quaker, Robert Dunkin, had given up his profession as a saddlemaker in order to build scientific instruments.
May 26, 2020
This a great Read Aloud book that will engage anyone above eight years old. It contains much scientific and historic knowledge, while providing great lessons about handling life challenges and adversity in ways that are honoring to God.
I recommend it and refer to it in my writings as well as to the homeschool groups i teach. I even added it to lightlabetc.com/more-books.
Enjoy some of Faraday’s quotations !
“The book of nature which we have to read is written by the finger of God.
“I shall be with Christ, and that is enough.”
I recommend it and refer to it in my writings as well as to the homeschool groups i teach. I even added it to lightlabetc.com/more-books.
Enjoy some of Faraday’s quotations !
“The book of nature which we have to read is written by the finger of God.
“I shall be with Christ, and that is enough.”
April 21, 2025
Excellent reading on a simple man; with determination, God, and the curiosity of the natural world Michael Faraday became a humble trail blazer in the field of science who influenced so many discoveries in the mysteries of electricity and magnets
This book is a quick read, not well written in parts, but very engaging and straightforward. I enjoyed this story and have learned many new things about a man I had never heard of before.
This book is a quick read, not well written in parts, but very engaging and straightforward. I enjoyed this story and have learned many new things about a man I had never heard of before.
January 24, 2018
Not knowing anything about Michael Faraday before reading this book, I found his life to be fascinating. He had a strong faith and persevered through all sorts of difficulties. Though Faraday himself was an incredible man, the book Michael Faraday was poorly written. It had lots of off-subject information and confusing sentences.
August 28, 2020
Informative. Lots of science, reviews of the science that supported Faraday's work. There are some really fun descriptive phrases sprinkled throughout but not enough to create great imagery. The two female characters are Faraday's mother - a woman of faith and optimism - and his wife who is portrayed as a very happy and affectionate housewife. All in all, dull.
December 13, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I knew little of Faraday except for the Faraday Cage/shield. Very well written, interesting and informative.
February 24, 2021
THE BOOK, THE MAN, THE WRITING, AND THE BRILLIANCE AND HUMILITY ARE IMPECCABLE HERE...end of discussion.
May 1, 2021
Great biography for middle grade readers. Four stars because the second half of the book just wasn’t as interesting as the first...but maybe that’s how most scientists’ lives go!
May 21, 2022
Very interesting.
July 15, 2023
An inspiring account of Faraday's life. A little more information on his discoveries would have been nice but it might distract from the overall timeline. A wonderful read of a Christian scientist.
October 28, 2024
It was very religious but fine
December 11, 2024
Had to read it for school and was pleasantly surprised when I actually enjoyed it. There are some part that drag on about science, but if you that kind of stuff it’s pretty good.
June 13, 2022
Great little one day read biography, I enjoyed the pace and writing style of this book. Its a great story about one of the most influential and important scientist who really had basic tools and little to no formal education. Great story for kids as well, follow your dreams!
July 25, 2016
Charles Ludwig is my favorite biography author by far. He writes in a playful, fun, and entertaining manner that I love to read, but his historical figures are portrayed in a very truthful way. I found this particular book, which happened to be my introduction to Charles Ludwig, a great example of his talent.
I found Michael Faraday an endearing and inspiring character. His inability to say his "r"s was sweet, and his constantly curious personality as a child was fun to read, knowing where it would lead him.
224 Pages.
I found Michael Faraday an endearing and inspiring character. His inability to say his "r"s was sweet, and his constantly curious personality as a child was fun to read, knowing where it would lead him.
224 Pages.
June 3, 2013
4 1/2 stars: We really liked this and I recommend it has a great read out. It's a perfect living book outlining a quality character, hard work, family dedication and values, personal leadership education and lots of scientific experiments. If you enjoyed "Carry On Mr. Bowditch" you will appreciate this book.
September 30, 2007
This was my "review" when I read this book:
I loved this book. Faraday's life is amazing because he overcame many obstacles in becoming a scientist, and the reason he was able to overcome those trials was because he relied on God. (Even to the end of his life he supported his mother.)
I loved this book. Faraday's life is amazing because he overcame many obstacles in becoming a scientist, and the reason he was able to overcome those trials was because he relied on God. (Even to the end of his life he supported his mother.)
March 5, 2013
Another curriculum book enjoyed.
March 20, 2016
a fictionalized biography for young adults about the life of Michael Faraday. Definitely enjoyed rereading for school the dramatization of the 'father of electronics'!
July 31, 2013
It was a good book. I enjoyed reading it, but I think if you were interested in science, you would get more out of it...
February 4, 2016
Written for young adults I found the story of Michael Faraday a fascinating read.
May 31, 2016
Great biography
It is a great book about Michael Faraday it is well written
And explains a lot of his life. Good book
It is a great book about Michael Faraday it is well written
And explains a lot of his life. Good book
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews