Customer Reviews

Sir Isaac Newton

5 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

This short bio of Newton is an excellent introduction into the life, times, and achievements of the most important man in history. To most people living at the beginning of the 21st century it's difficult to imagine the state of knowledge and epistemology that Newton was born into. This little book is very well written and easily understandable by almost anyone! No knowledge of mathematics is needed.

In addition to describing the basic content of Newton's discoveries, i.e. his integration of terrestrial and celestial mechanics (a monumental achievement) and his revolutionary discoveries about light and color, Andrade also provides a beautiful description of the basic purpose and fundamental ideas of Newton's fluxions (aka the calculus). What's truly incredible is that Newton discovered all these ideas in less than 2 years when in his early 20's!!!

What I personally found most interesting is that it was Newton who showed the world on a grand scale, the power of the scientific method which formed the basis for all future scientific and technological progress. Andrade discusses, illustates, and bridges the old ways of understanding with the modern method in a clear and concise way.

You also get a glimpse into Newton's character which is quite unusual.

For those who want a very detailed, scholarly and thorough biography of Isaac Newton, read Westfall's "Never at Rest".

This short bio of Newton is an excellent introduction into the life, times, and achievements of the most important man in history. To most people living at the beginning of the 21st century it's difficult to imagine the state of knowledge and epistemology that Newton was born into. This little book is very well written and easily understandable by almost anyone! No knowledge of mathematics is needed.

In addition to describing the basic content of Newton's discoveries, i.e. his integration of terrestrial and celestial mechanics (a monumental achievement) and his revolutionary discoveries about light and color, Andrade also provides a beautiful description of the basic purpose and fundamental ideas of Newton's fluxions (aka the calculus). What's truly incredible is that Newton discovered all these ideas in less than 2 years when in his early 20's!!!

What I personally found most interesting is that it was Newton who showed the world on a grand scale, the power of the scientific method which formed the basis for all future scientific and technological progress. Andrade discusses, illustates, and bridges the old ways of understanding with the modern method in a clear and concise way.

You also get a glimpse into Newton's character which is quite unusual.

For those who want a very detailed, scholarly and thorough biography of Isaac Newton, read Westfall's "Never at Rest".

At the moment I first received this book, I was already felt disappointed as the book is a tiny one with fewer than 200 pages. I predicted that this book would not give much information on Newton, undisputably the greatest scientist and mathematician of all time!! ( Don't compare Einstein with him , the later can only be described as the greatest theoretical physicist of the 20 th century!) Considering Newton's achievement and his complicated life, a book ten times the content of this one even may not be enough!
After reading the whole book, I was even more disappointed!! As the description of Newton's life is even less than any book on History of Mathematics!! Coupled with the expensiveness of this book. ( It cost me more than 60 dollars ) I cannot think of one reason to buy this book. I recommend " the life of Issac Newton or for a more detailed account, " Never at rest," both by Richard Westfall.

On the moment I first received this book, I was already felt disappointed as the book is a timy one with fewer than 200 pages. I have a feeling that this book would not give much information on Newton, undisputably the greatest scientist and mathematician of all time!! ( Don't compare him with Einstein, the later can only be described as a great theoretical physicist !) Considering Newton's achievement and his complicated life, a book ten times the content of this one even may not be enough!

After reading the whole book, I was even more disappointed!! As the description of Newton's life is even less than any book on History of Mathematics!! Coupled with the expensiveness of this book. ( It cost me more than 60 dollars ) I cannot think of one reason to buy this book. I recommend " the life of Issac Newton or for a more detailed account, " Never at rest," both by Richard Westfall.