The Day the Universe Changed: How Galileo's Telescope Changed The Truth and Other Events in History That Dramatically Altered Our Understanding of the World (Back Bay Books) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Somebody once observed to the eminent philosopher Wittgenstein how stupid medieval Europeans living before the time of Copernicus must have been that they could have..." (more)
Key Phrases: sulphur ball, perspective geometry, Black Death, New York, Bonaventure Sermons (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“James Burke surely has one of the most intriguing minds in the western world.” —The Washington Post

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Description

Revision of Burke's highly successful original of 1985. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

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Product Details Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Back Bay Books; Rei Sub edition (September 1, 1995) Language: English ISBN-10: 0316117048 ISBN-13: 978-0316117043 Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,733 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books) Popular in this category: (What's this?) #5 in  Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Scientists

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Inside This Book (learn more)

First Sentence:
Somebody once observed to the eminent philosopher Wittgenstein how stupid medieval Europeans living before the time of Copernicus must have been that they could have looked at the sky and thought that the sun was circling the earth. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
sulphur ball, perspective geometry

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Black Death, New York, Bonaventure Sermons, Roger Bacon, Social Darwinism, French Revolution, Maria Novella, Royal Society, Archbishop of Canterbury, Arena Chapel, Christian Church, Far East, Martin Luther, Milky Way, Pierre Abelard, Spice Islands, The Medicis, United States, Gerbert of Aurillac, John Locke, Josiah Wedgwood, North Africa, Otto von Guericke, Tycho Brahe

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 100 books:

• On the Origin of Species (Penguin Classics) by Charles Darwin on 5 pages
• The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin on 5 pages
• On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin on page 256, page 260, and page 261
• Philosophia Botanica by C. Linnaeus on page 240, and page 241
• GEORGES CUVIER by Jean Chandler Smith on page 245, and Back Matter

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83 books cite this book:

• Waking the Global Heart: Humanity's Rite of Passage from the Love of Power to the Power of Love by Anodea Judith in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
• Time Traveling With Science and the Saints by George A. Erickson on page 94, page 152, and Back Matter
• Imagining the World: Mythical Belief versus Reality in Global Encounters by O.R. Dathorne in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
• Saving the Savior : Did Christ Survive the Crucifixion? by Abubakr Ben Ishmael Salahuddin in Front Matter, and Back Matter
• War, Science and Terrorism: From Laboratory to Open Conflict by J. Richardson on page 92, and page 165

See all 83 books citing this book

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	61% buy the item featured on this page: The Day the Universe Changed: How Galileo's Telescope Changed The Truth and Other Events in History That Dramatically Altered Our Understanding of the World (Back Bay Books) 4.4 out of 5 stars (28)
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Customer Reviews

28 Reviews 5 star:  (17) 4 star:  (7) 3 star:  (2) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.4 out of 5 stars (28 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Burke's connectionist thought is uniquely insightful, April 6, 1998 By  [e-mail] (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews This book describes the evolution of scientific beliefs and ideas, and how they have intertwined throughout history to present day. His refreshing writing style is clever and humorous, displayed in an amazing presentation of the history of paradigm shifts in regard to invention and scientific discovery. He brilliantly ties together various scientific notions and explains them in their historic contexts, and shows the interconnectedness of scientific ideology in a way that is truly stunning to the "acolyte" connectionist thinker. 16 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Best Of Burke, February 12, 2002 By  Richard C. Sides (Decatur, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Having read Burke's previous efforts, I was prepared to be entertained and amazed at how seemingly unrelated thoughts and developments came together to move history and innovation forward - but this book exceeded my expectations! Another reveiwer commented (accurately) that Burke gives religion a pretty rough time, it must also be said that he gives an incredible perspective on how much impact religious thought impacted people's freedom to think, and how those places tolerant of fresh thinking attracted (and benefitted from) thinking people. The same is shown to be true of political freedom, economic freedom, and, well, you get the picture...freedoms made great differences. Burke does a fabulous job of providing meaningful context to innovation and innovators. He also demonstrates that a lot of innovation was not pursued, but rather occurred almost by accident - two things sitting next to each other for the first time, and someone decides to combine them! If you don't read any of his other books, be sure to read this one! I have only one bit of advice when reading it - pace yourself - it is much too good to rush, so savor it... 25 of 29 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, Well-Conceived and Wonderfully Illustrated, June 25, 2001 By  unraveler "unraveler" (Nevada) - See all my reviews Psychologists tell us that people often tend to see patterns and connections in situations where none really exist. At first, I had reservations about Burke's book for this very reason. But I found the book informative, intelligent, and a real pleasure to read. The author is very pesuasive in his thesis that unexpected connections and new knowledge really alter the human condition and our understanding of the universe. I learned a lot from this book and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in intellectual history, the history of technology, science, and medicine, or the relationship between political economy and the human condition. Because the scope of Burke's book is so wide, brevity is a must. For this reason, some important connections had to be stated only in general terms, without deep explanations that may be necessary for a reader who is not already familiar with many major figures and events of the past. But no one should be intimidated. You can still enjoy the book, even if you do not already have the knowledge of technological and scientific history. Another challenge that is posed by the wide scope of this project and the subsequent terseness that it requires, is that 1) some statemets are subject to dispute because of their breif nature and generality; 2) a number of relevant causes and connections remain unexplored. I do not think there is a way around this. For example, Burke unequivocally states that John Locke supported slavery. This is debatable. True, Locke had invested in a slave-trading company, but his political philosophy rejected slavery in principle, allowing it only in the very special circumstance of prisoners of war. (Locke believed, for whatever reason, that prisoners of war could rightly be killed, and therefore if they chose to live, their captor could enslave them.) Also, Burke makes much of Locke's defense of private property, ignoring, as many authors have done before him, the fact that by "property" Locke meant to include all of these: life, liberty, and estate. And by "estate" Locke meant what we mean by private property today. But explanations of this sort, while providing a more balanced picture, would take up too much of the book, whose time span includes millenia of technological history! I think that a greater challenge is posed by the complex nature of technological progress itself. Burke explores some connections and remains silent about others. This makes the methodology a little weak. For example, he practically argues that the weather was responsible for the industrial revolution, which began in Great Britain in the eighteenth century. I do realize that it is the unexpected and unusual connections that are the focus here. Still, I was left wondering, what about other factors? I also have a difference of opinion on the philosophy of science. I do not think the universe really changed that much, perhaps not at all, based on the discoveries we as the human race made through the centuries. Only our understanding of the universe has undergone changes. Furthermore, not every understanding is equally valid. Some are much more scientific and accurate than others. The universe did not really change because Galileo discovered the moons of Jupiter and Newton the 'laws' of all mechanical motion. What changed is the level of our scientific sophistication in regards to the question, How does the universe work? Also, I do not think that Burke's optimism about making science a true item of public domain is altogether justified. On the last two pages of the book he seems to suggest that the general public should dictate which direction science shall take, and what in the end counts for science. This is an interesting populist move. But one should not deceive himself. Science is not that democractic. One does not establish validity of scientific theories based on a vote. As to the direction that science will take, well, that is likely to be decided by scientists, corporations, and all those unexpected connections and unintended consequence that are so important in history, as Burke himself demonstrated. I enjoyed the book a great deal. Everybody should read the chapter on medicine as soon as they get a chance. It makes you feel grateful for what you have in an economically advanced country. Finally, "The American Internet Advantage" owes much to the spirit that is also the spirit of this book--the spirit of exploration, perseverance, and strange connections. Michael Hart		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Good service This book was mailed directly to a friend as a gift. He reports that it arrived safely and was in good condition. Published 7 months ago by Jane Austen "Barbara" 5.0 out of 5 stars AP World History Review: An Excellent Read For The Persistent Reader In The Day The Universe Changed's introduction, James Burke states that "Ever since Bacon and Descartes, we live with the expectation that knowledge will continue to change and... Read more Published 11 months ago 2.0 out of 5 stars Day the Universe Changed (Seriously) Abridged CD Audiobook This is a review ONLY of the abridged CD audiobook read by the author James Burke. Relative to the book and the video series, each of which have ten chapters, the abridged CD... Read more Published 14 months ago by Bob Drake 5.0 out of 5 stars Title of book: "Changed the truth"??? Just a comment about the title of this book...."changed the truth?"....Well, truth never, never, never "changes"....beliefs do, though. Read more Published on July 7, 2007 by Teri L. Dufilho 4.0 out of 5 stars One Of The Better Burke has a way of making history, science, and the human condition fun while telling you something that makes you think about it. Read more Published on September 25, 2006 by Winterlights 5.0 out of 5 stars The evolution of change. This review is based on the first American edition, which was published as a companion to the PBS program, "The Day the Universe Changed". Read more Published on March 28, 2006 by Solomon 5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Less Than The History Of How Rational Thinkers Advanced The Human Race James Burke's book traces history backward and conceives of progress as a series of brillant achievements that create in their influence outstretching ripples that set off the... Read more Published on September 22, 2005 by Penny Dreadful 5.0 out of 5 stars A great Book on the history of Technology After you read this book, you will look at the world in a whole new way.It outlines on how random the pace of discovery of new ideas and technology really is. Read more Published on April 30, 2005 by D. D Lawson 5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Most Significant books written James Burke, a superior communicator, takes you back to those moments when a sudden idea completely changes the entire manner in which everyone in the world perceives and... Read more Published on October 5, 2004 by John A. Leo 5.0 out of 5 stars Fanfare for the Common Man *This is a book to be read and enjoyed by those with only a cursory knowledge of history, science or art. Read more Published on July 28, 2003 by Avid Reader Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books; Rei Sub edition (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316117048
• ISBN-13: 978-0316117043
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,733 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #5 in

  Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Specific Groups > Scientists

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Burke's connectionist thought is uniquely insightful, April 6, 1998

By	[e-mail] (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

This book describes the evolution of scientific beliefs and ideas, and how they have intertwined throughout history to present day. His refreshing writing style is clever and humorous, displayed in an amazing presentation of the history of paradigm shifts in regard to invention and scientific discovery. He brilliantly ties together various scientific notions and explains them in their historic contexts, and shows the interconnectedness of scientific ideology in a way that is truly stunning to the "acolyte" connectionist thinker.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Of Burke, February 12, 2002

By	Richard C. Sides (Decatur, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Having read Burke's previous efforts, I was prepared to be entertained and amazed at how seemingly unrelated thoughts and developments came together to move history and innovation forward - but this book exceeded my expectations! Another reveiwer commented (accurately) that Burke gives religion a pretty rough time, it must also be said that he gives an incredible perspective on how much impact religious thought impacted people's freedom to think, and how those places tolerant of fresh thinking attracted (and benefitted from) thinking people.

The same is shown to be true of political freedom, economic freedom, and, well, you get the picture...freedoms made great differences.

Burke does a fabulous job of providing meaningful context to innovation and innovators. He also demonstrates that a lot of innovation was not pursued, but rather occurred almost by accident - two things sitting next to each other for the first time, and someone decides to combine them!

If you don't read any of his other books, be sure to read this one! I have only one bit of advice when reading it - pace yourself - it is much too good to rush, so savor it...

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative, Well-Conceived and Wonderfully Illustrated, June 25, 2001

By	unraveler "unraveler" (Nevada) - See all my reviews

Psychologists tell us that people often tend to see patterns and connections in situations where none really exist. At first, I had reservations about Burke's book for this very reason. But I found the book informative, intelligent, and a real pleasure to read. The author is very pesuasive in his thesis that unexpected connections and new knowledge really alter the human condition and our understanding of the universe. I learned a lot from this book and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in intellectual history, the history of technology, science, and medicine, or the relationship between political economy and the human condition.

Because the scope of Burke's book is so wide, brevity is a must. For this reason, some important connections had to be stated only in general terms, without deep explanations that may be necessary for a reader who is not already familiar with many major figures and events of the past. But no one should be intimidated. You can still enjoy the book, even if you do not already have the knowledge of technological and scientific history. Another challenge that is posed by the wide scope of this project and the subsequent terseness that it requires, is that 1) some statemets are subject to dispute because of their breif nature and generality; 2) a number of relevant causes and connections remain unexplored. I do not think there is a way around this. For example, Burke unequivocally states that John Locke supported slavery. This is debatable. True, Locke had invested in a slave-trading company, but his political philosophy rejected slavery in principle, allowing it only in the very special circumstance of prisoners of war. (Locke believed, for whatever reason, that prisoners of war could rightly be killed, and therefore if they chose to live, their captor could enslave them.) Also, Burke makes much of Locke's defense of private property, ignoring, as many authors have done before him, the fact that by "property" Locke meant to include all of these: life, liberty, and estate. And by "estate" Locke meant what we mean by private property today. But explanations of this sort, while providing a more balanced picture, would take up too much of the book, whose time span includes millenia of technological history!

I think that a greater challenge is posed by the complex nature of technological progress itself. Burke explores some connections and remains silent about others. This makes the methodology a little weak. For example, he practically argues that the weather was responsible for the industrial revolution, which began in Great Britain in the eighteenth century. I do realize that it is the unexpected and unusual connections that are the focus here. Still, I was left wondering, what about other factors?

I also have a difference of opinion on the philosophy of science. I do not think the universe really changed that much, perhaps not at all, based on the discoveries we as the human race made through the centuries. Only our understanding of the universe has undergone changes. Furthermore, not every understanding is equally valid. Some are much more scientific and accurate than others. The universe did not really change because Galileo discovered the moons of Jupiter and Newton the 'laws' of all mechanical motion. What changed is the level of our scientific sophistication in regards to the question, How does the universe work? Also, I do not think that Burke's optimism about making science a true item of public domain is altogether justified. On the last two pages of the book he seems to suggest that the general public should dictate which direction science shall take, and what in the end counts for science. This is an interesting populist move. But one should not deceive himself. Science is not that democractic. One does not establish validity of scientific theories based on a vote. As to the direction that science will take, well, that is likely to be decided by scientists, corporations, and all those unexpected connections and unintended consequence that are so important in history, as Burke himself demonstrated.

I enjoyed the book a great deal. Everybody should read the chapter on medicine as soon as they get a chance. It makes you feel grateful for what you have in an economically advanced country. Finally, "The American Internet Advantage" owes much to the spirit that is also the spirit of this book--the spirit of exploration, perseverance, and strange connections.

Michael Hart