The Principia : Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy (Paperback)

~ Isaac Newton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The publisher claims that this is the first new translation of Newton from the Latin in 270 years! This text is based on the 1726 third edition, which was the final version corrected by Newton. This reprint additionally includes extracts from the earlier versions plus up-to-date mathematical forms.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A result of astonishing scholarship and collaboration among a wide group of talented people." -- Psychological Reports

"Cohen and Whitman's translation deserves to become the new standard. . . . " -- Physics Today

"Copes ably with puzzles of Newtonian commentary. . .[A] new and handsome edition." -- London Review of Books

"Will be of interest to a wide scientific and scholarly audience…the new translation flows smoothly and elegantly." -- Times Higher Education Supplement --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 974 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (October 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520088174
• ISBN-13: 978-0520088177
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,053 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

83 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A humbling and awe inspiring experience..., March 1, 2001

By	Kersi Von Zerububbel "Kersi" (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is the third time I have read the PRINCIPIA. Every time I come back with even greater awe and respect for this masterpiece.

Friends, this is a classic work. Reading this book and digesting the material is an experience you will never forget. Just imagine. Three hundred and some years ago Newton came up with the theory of fluxions (Calculus), the theory of light, the theory of gravitation, and much more. Then reading about it in his own words (here translated from the original Latin); is very humbling and awe inspiring.

A word of caution. The writing is turgid in keeping with the times and because it is a translation. Also, if you are not familiar with calculus or basic classical mechanics the material will require an extra effort on your part. This is NOT a easy read. Therefore, take your time reading this book. Maybe even a chapter a week. After the initial inconveniences believe me you will not regret it. You will be inspired and plain surprised that this jewel of knowledge is so affordable to us today.

98 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you don't "get" math, read this book, August 28, 2001

By	Alexander W. Ellermann (Kensington, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hi, folks. I suffered through college math all the way through differential equations, and I never really "got" it. I just memorized the steps and, when exam time rolled around, hoped I could remember which procedure went with which problem. The light finally came on in grad school, and _Principia_ was the switch. Reading the _Principia_ let me get underneath formal calculus and imbued it with a sense of wonder and soul. To see the theory set out step-by-step, to follow with Newton as he envisioned a new way of painting the world, gave me the ability to internalize the calculus, to say, finally, "Yes, that's intuitively right." I wish I'd read the _Principia_ much earlier in my education. It would have saved me a lot of pain.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars now there is a good english edition!, May 12, 2003

By	Jordi Vilalta Lopez (Barcelona (Spain)) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

[...]
It was very difficult to grasp in Latin (I've had a try on it), not that much easy in the Motte facsimile translation (I can assure it), and the Cajori-Motte edition was only half modernized and otherwise flawed.

This edition, sponsored by I.B. Cohen (the Latin editor) gives us a fresh, modern English translation of the text, and -almost as thick- a guide to using and reading this all-important book, which is not -as everybody is aware- an easy reader. One word of caution: Newton was, of course (pace Leibnitz), the discoverer of calculus, but he doesn't use it here, but "more geometrico" rigorous proofs, much in the style of that other genius of all ages, Archimedes. If you need help grasping the contents and impact of this work, then you must get some book like DENSMORE, D., Newton's Principia: The Central Argument (other auxiliary books are commented in the Guide potion of the book I'm reviewing).