Inhoudsopgave:
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âDemonstrates an awesome command of the vast Galileo literature . . . [Wootton] excels in boldly speculating about Galileoâs motivesâ (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 ânew physicsâ; 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 newâfrom Galileoâs premature Copernicanism to a previously unrecognized illegitimate daughterâand, controversially, rejects the long-established belief that Galileo was a good Catholic.  Absolutely central to Galileoâs significanceâand to science more broadlyâis 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 Galileoâs 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  âFascinating reading . . . With this highly adventurous portrayal of Galileoâs inner world, Wootton assures himself a high rank among the most radical recent Galileo interpreters . . . Undoubtedly Wootton makes an important contribution to Galileo scholarship.â âAmerica magazine  âWoottonâs biography . . . is engagingly written and offers fresh insights into Galileoâs intellectual development.â âStandpoint magazine |
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