Galileo Galilei - When the World Stood Still - Hardcover

Naess, Atle

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 3540219617 ISBN 13: 9783540219613

Publisher: Springer, 2004

Synopsis

His biography of Galileo won the Brage Award for best Norwegian non-fiction book in 2001

The Norwegian edition has sold nearly 6000 copies

Biographies as a genre are very popular

 

About this title

About the Author:

The author was born in 1949. He studied language and literature at Oslo University and worked for some years as a teacher at various levels before becoming an independent writer of novels and non-fiction. Among his books is a novel about the Italian painter Caravaggio, translated into English under the title "Doubting Thomas" [in German as "Caravaggio's Flucht"]. His biography of Galileo won the Brage Award for best Norwegian non-fiction book in 2001. Nęss' most recent work is a biography of the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch.

Review:

and well constructed, and one that provides the important larger context that surrounds the drama itself. This reviewer recommends it highly to anyone interested in a succinct and comprehensive look at the "saga" of Galileo.

MAA Online book review columne, Alexander J. Hahn, October 2005

 The complete review can be found here: http://www.maa.org/reviews/naessgalileo.html

[...] Atle Naess knows how to write a readable book. He wastes no time on padding. He weaves the history, the personalities and the technicalities together expertly, with a sure eye for an interesting detail and an ability to cut through the myths, propaganda and speculation that surround the Galileo case. [...] The aim of the book is a short introduction to introduce the man and whet the appetite for his ideas. It is a resounding success.

by James Franklin, Univ of New South Wales, Sydney                                          Gazette, The Australian Mathematical Society, Volume 32, Number 4, 2005,

"The mathematician and physicist Galileo Galilei is one of the most famous scientists of all time. The story of his life and times ... is brought vividly to life in this book. Atle Nęss has written a gripping account of one of the great figures in European history." (WWW. firstscience.com, September 12, 2005)

"Not too many biographies of great scientists are as felicitously written as this new one ... . a delightful read but ... is as historically accurate as one would hope. ... very adequately referenced. ... The translation into english is excellent. This book brought home to me the full extent ... . Anyone with an interest in the life and times of Galileo will adore this new account ... . It is beautifully printed, attractively bound ... . Highly recommended." (Australian Physics, Vol. 42 (2), May/June, 2005)

"I found this book fascinating. Much of the argument ... revolves around the famous trial of Galileo for heresy in 1633. ... The background of the build up to the trial with all the necessary detail is handled in a masterly manner ... . There are 13 pages of index and references which will allow the assiduous reader to delve further into the scientific life of seventeenth century Italy – a journey well worth making ... a book worth buying." (M. L. Perkins, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 90 (518), 2006)

"Galileo Galilei was not only one of the most outstanding 16th century scientists, but he also suffered for the last nine years of his life ... . This biography deals with both these aspects, making full use of recent historical research. Altogether is presents a rounded picture of his life in a highly readable account." (Mathematika, Vol. 52, 2005)

"Galileo Galilei was not only one of the most outstanding 16th century scientists, but he also suffered for the last nine years of his life ... . This biography deals with both these aspects, making full use of recent historical research. Altogether it presents a rounded picture of his life in a highly readable account." (Mathematika, Vol. 52, 2005)

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 3540219617
• ISBN 13: 9783540219613
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 229