Isaac Newton: Giants of Science (Giants of Science (Viking)) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Boris Kulikov (Illustrator) "SECRETIVE, WITHDRAWN, OBSESSIVE. Ruthless, bitter perhaps in need of therapy. . . ..." (more)
Key Phrases: Royal Society, Cambridge University, Church of England (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 5-7–Krull fulfills the promise of the outstanding previous volume in this series, Leonardo da Vinci (Viking, 2005) with this follow-up. Writing in a style aptly described in the blurb as juicily anecdotal (a tone reflected in Kulikovs witty illustrations), she offers a multifaceted portrait of a genius who was both brilliant and several slices short of a loaf, capable of revolutionary insights into science but also rude, jealous, and secretive. Along with presenting lucid, animated descriptions of Newtons major achievements, from calculus and the laws of motion to the reflecting telescope (a cool new toy that earned him instant election to the Royal Society), the author carefully takes on such speculative topics as his religious beliefs, his homosexuality, and the possibility that his emotional imbalance was a result of poisoning caused by his obsessive alchemical experiments. Though Krull gives Newton more credit than he probably deserves for validating the scientific method, in general her assessment of his stellar position in the history of science is right on target.–John Peters, New York Public Library
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From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. Krull's second offering in the Giants of Science series (Leonardo da Vinci, 2005) profiles Sir Isaac Newton, the secretive, obsessive, and brilliant English scientist who invented calculus, built the first reflecting telescope, developed the modern scientific method, and discerned many of our laws of physics and optics. Engaging in limited speculation about Newton's personality (Did he have Asperger's syndrome or suffer from mercury poisoning?), Krull recounts Newton's lonely childhood, his penchant for quiet reflection, and the difficulties that led to his feuding with other scientists. The lively, conversational style will appeal to readers; Newton comes off as disagreeable and difficult, but never boring. Krull also does a credible job explaining several of Newton's complex theories^B. She offers no documentation, but she appends a list of books and Web sites for those who want more facts. Kulikov's humorous pen-and-ink drawings complement the lighthearted text of this fascinating introduction, which will appeal to both would-be scientists and children in need of a quick-to-read biography. Kay Weisman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (April 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670059218
• ISBN-13: 978-0670059218
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #442,479 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prig Newton, July 28, 2006

By	E. R. Bird "Ramseelbird" (Manhattan, NY) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I like science in the way that I like foreign cars. It's not something I'd usually focus my brain on, but I'm willing to give it some thought should the need arise. As a child, however, my heroes were not scientists. Scientists, I would have told you, are dull as dishwater human beings who never had a poetic or romantic thought in their lives. They were, for me, the epitome of dull dry brilliance. Trust Kathleen Krull then to write about a fellow who manages to prove my personal stereotypes both right and wrong at the same time. You might be able to make a case for Isaac Newton having never had a romantic thought in his life. But dull? Honey, this guy was so wham-bang whizzing crazy that his mere existence itself makes for a fabulous bio. The "Giants of Science" series has a way of making anyone and everyone it touches look interesting. But with Mr. Newton, it sure doesn't seem like they needed much help.

He was born on Christmas Day in 1642 in rural England. An unwanted child, Isaac was shuttled amongst various relatives and essentially ignored by his mother and stepfather. In fact, his stepfather was so against Isaac's mere existence that the marriage contract was careful to state that the boy was not allowed even allowed in the man's home. The boy grew up solitary and unendingly curious. He worked for an apothecary at one point, attended Cambridge, and was incredibly religious. He was also, "secretive, vindictive, withdrawn, obsessive, and, oh, yes, brilliant". With a bit of historical panache, Krull brings Newton's life into powerful focus. Whether he was erasing all memory of his deceased enemies, staring at the sun in "experiments", fearing any and all forms of publication, or just making the lives of those around him just a little bit difficult, Newton made up in smarts what he lacked in charm.

Aw, man. This title's good. Heck, even the science in this book makes sense. And what small passages don't make sense are easily skipped by those readers who wish to learn more about the kind of guy who'd poke things into his eyes for experiments. Having recently finished Joan Dash's Benjamin Franklin biography, "A Dangerous Engine", which consisted of wading through deep tracts of scientific jargon, Isaac Newton's calculus comes across like clarification incarnate.

What I liked most about this book, however, was how much I never knew about this familiar name. For example, Newton's fear of publication was one of the more interesting aspects to his personality. He didn't want to publish any of his ideas for fear of someone stealing them. On the other hand, he was absolutely incensed if anyone came up with an idea even a bit close to one of his own theories. In this way, Newton comes across as a spoiled selfish child. He has lots of pretty toys to play with, but he doesn't want anyone to borrow any of them, even for a little while. He was not prepared for the "sharing-and-getting-feedback part of science", as Krull puts it. In fact he was so protective that even when he wanted to prove he'd invented calculus first, he explained it in a letter in code. A code that only he had the key to. You can imagine how well THAT went down.

Krull is, by the way, the queen of the fabulous child-friendly bio. If you've not had a chance to read one of her "Lives of the ... " books, consider yourself truly wretched. What sets her apart from other biographers is that she always seems to have the child reader foremost in her mind. As such, these bios become truly interesting, even when their subject is not. Best of all, she's not one of those biographers that wade about knee deep in speculation, rumor, and hearsay just to fill a few pages. Isaac Newton could have been gay, you say? Perhaps, but while Krull will mention the theory she'll do so in a way that makes it clear that we have no hard evidence one way or another on the matter. How could we when it was such a dangerous thing to be, back in the 1600s? The book even brings up the occasional contemporary reference as well. When Isaac first comes to Cambridge, Krull compares what he must have felt to, "the thrill that entering Hogwarts School was to the young Harry Potter". Clear as crystal, that feeling. And when Newton is at last in charge of the Royal Society? Krull describes his reign as "slimy", and no word could possibly be better suited to his actions.

And none of what I've mentioned even touches on how Newton used to work long and hard on alchemy, or served in Parliament and never said a word, or even how he only did so-so in school. With Ms. Krull to guide us, the reader sees both the good and the bad in this brilliant man. If nothing else, this book would be well-worth considering since it shows that you can be a genius and a jerk all at the same time. Brilliance does not preclude nastiness. As scientific bios go, this is a top notch addition to any and all libraries. Perhaps the finest children's biography of Newton ever conceived. Top drawer! Top drawer.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Just the facts, ma'am!, December 31, 2008

By	Joyce Kennedy "Thatsswell" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is an easy to read biography of Newton, in a conversational style that appeals. But I was quite turned off by the gossipy content of Chapter Nine (Newton versus Newton). First, it begins a discussion about Newton having emotional/psychological issues with the flippant and insensitive phrase "several slices short of a loaf".
Then it goes on to speculate that Newton may have been gay, since he had at least two very close male friends, one of whom he lived with for 20 years. It grants that there is no concrete evidence, but whispers about it anyhow.
I gave this book to Goodwill and went looking for something more factual and less vacuous.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars imperfect book, November 10, 2009

By	Robin B. "Book Loving Mama" (Edmond, Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book for my 9-year-old, and I read it, too.

Sir Isaac Newton is an interesting topic. I would certainly encourage children to find out more about him.

However, this book has many sentence fragments and other grammatical errors. I found the poor writing to be very distracting from the content of the book.

Also, the book contains a discussion of whether or not he is homosexual. I really think that discussions of a person's sex life should be left out of biographies for elementary and middle school students.