“Demonstrates an awesome command of the vast Galileo
literature . . . [Wootton] excels in boldly speculating about
Galileo’s motives” (The New York Times Book Review). Tackling
Galileo as astronomer, engineer, and author, David Wootton places him
at the center of Renaissance culture. He traces Galileo through his
early rebellious years; the beginnings of his scientific career
constructing a “new physics”; his move to Florence seeking money,
status, and greater freedom to attack intellectual orthodoxies; his
trial for heresy and narrow escape from torture; and his house arrest
and physical (though not intellectual) decline. Wootton also reveals
much that is new—from Galileo’s premature Copernicanism to a
previously unrecognized illegitimate daughter—and, controversially,
rejects the long-established belief that Galileo was a good Catholic.
Absolutely central to Galileo’s significance—and to science
more broadly—is the telescope, the potential of which Galileo was
the first to grasp. Wootton makes clear that it totally revolutionized
and galvanized scientific endeavor to discover new and previously
unimagined facts. Drawing extensively on Galileo’s voluminous
letters, many of which were self-censored and sly, this is an
original, arresting, and highly readable biography of a difficult,
remarkable Renaissance genius. Selected as a Choice Outstanding
Academic Title in the Astronautics and Astronomy Category
“Fascinating reading . . . With this highly adventurous portrayal
of Galileo’s inner world, Wootton assures himself a high rank among
the most radical recent Galileo interpreters . . . Undoubtedly
Wootton makes an important contribution to Galileo scholarship.”
—America magazine “Wootton’s biography . . . is engagingly
written and offers fresh insights into Galileo’s intellectual
development.” —Standpoint magazine
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780300170061
Publisert
2019
Utgiver
Vendor
Yale University Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter