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Gale E. Christianson

Isaac Newton (Lives and Legacies Series) Hardcover – November 1, 2005

by Gale E. Christianson (Author)

10 ratings

Book 5 of 13: Lives and Legacies Series

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Quarrelsome and quirky, a disheveled recluse who ate little, slept less, and yet had an iron constitution, Isaac Newton rose from a virtually illiterate family to become one of the towering intellects of science. Now, in this fast-paced, colorful biography, Gale E. Christianson paints an
engaging portrait of Newton and the times in which he lived.
We follow Newton from his childhood in rural England to his student days at Cambridge, where he devoured the works of Copernicus, Kepler, and Galileo, and taught himself mathematics. There ensued two miraculous years at home in Woolsthorpe Manor, where he fled when plague threatened Cambridge, a
remarkably fertile period when Newton formulated his theory of gravity, a new theory of light, and calculus--all by his twenty-fourth birthday. Christianson describes Newton's creation of the first working model of the reflecting telescope, which brought him to the attention of the Royal Society,
and he illuminates the eighteen months of intense labor that resulted in his Principia, arguably the most important scientific work ever published. The book sheds light on Newton's later life as master of the mint in London, where he managed to convict and hang the arch criminal William Chaloner (a
remarkable turn for a once reclusive scholar), and his presidency of the Royal Society, which he turned from a dilettante's club into an eminent scientific organization. Christianson also explores Newton's less savory side, including his long, bitter feud with Robert Hooke and the underhanded way
that Newton established his priority in the invention of calculus and tarnished Liebniz's reputation.
Newton was an authentic genius with all too human faults. This book captures both sides of this truly extraordinary man.

Reading age

12 - 17 years
Print length

144 pages
Language

English
Dimensions

8.44 x 5.76 x 0.69 inches
Publisher

Oxford University Press
Publication date

November 1, 2005
ISBN-10

019530070X
ISBN-13

978-0195300703
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Richard S. Westfall
68
Paperback
$44.49 List: $49.99 (11% off)
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Christianson has built a small empire of Newton biographies, including the full-length In the Presence of the Creator and the much briefer Isaac Newton and the Scientific Revolution. In fact, this volume is more or less identical to the briefer one, published by Oxford in 1996 as part of its young adult Portraits in Science series. The relatively simple prose betrays its origins, but the book itself gives a solid and accessible introduction to the life and work of Newton (1642–1727), from his early days at Cambridge to his time as a member of Parliament in the critical year of 1689, after King James II fled to France, and the political battles that surrounded Newton's later work as master of the mint. "Newton was a loner pure and simple, secure in the knowledge that he was without peers when it came to almost all matters cerebral," Christianson writes. This biography works best as a brief introduction for general readers; those familiar with the general history of science (or, for that matter, those who've read Neal Stephenson's vastly more nuanced if fictional portrayal of Newton in his Baroque Cycle) will find little that isn't familiar. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

This slim introduction to Newton accents the personality as it lays out the science. The biographer of astronomer Edwin Hubble, Christianson presents traits in the adolescent Newton that flowered or festered when he became an adult, such as his childlike curiosity and his smoldering capacity for hatred. To be blunt, Newton was a disagreeable character. The list of Newton's feuds is long and occurred throughout his life: he fought with his mother and, when he became famous, with Robert Hooke, astronomer John Flamsteed, mathematician Gottfried Leibniz, philosopher John Locke, and who knows how many unrecorded tradesmen. Newton apparently did not argue with fellow members of Parliament, perhaps an act of self-control born of a craving for a government position; he did eventually head the Royal Mint. This indictment will probably astound Christianson's audience, but it will ground them in the historical man behind the revolutionary natural philosopher, and prepare them for books more expansive on physics, such as James Gleick's Isaac Newton (2003). Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press (November 1, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 144 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 019530070X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0195300703
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 17 years
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.6 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.44 x 5.76 x 0.69 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #3,484,140 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,443 in History of Technology
- #6,141 in Scientist Biographies
- #6,673 in Historical British Biographies

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Jaewoo Kim

Newton Light

Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2012

Verified Purchase

As the meager 160 pages indicates, this book does not dig deeply into Newton's life or his works.

It does a good job, however, of covering the gist of his life.

During his 84 years, Newton accomplished much. But I wanted to know what made Newton what he was. How did he become so profoundly engrossed in math and physics? What drove him? Why was he such a loner? What gave him such tremendous propensity for hard work?

Newton's psychology, upbringing, and development as a foremost intellect of his time (perhaps of all time) are covered only superficially.

Newton also never married but was honored with the highest distinction and awe. Many justifiably looked upon him as an intellectual titan without peers.

I thought there was much to his life besides facts and anecdotes. Too bad this book never goes much beyond that.

There is humor spread throughout this book. I was left chuckling a few times.

Overall, I recommend this book. This book is like a deluxe Wikipedia version of Newton's life. It won't set the standard for biographical excellence, but it is still a entertaining and fascinating read.

6 people found this helpful

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Thomas Wu

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2016

an joyful reading!

One of the best and most beautiful biographies I've read lately...

Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2007

I loved this biography for its depth and fascinating insight into the perplexing and most complicated life of Isaac Newton. What an interesting and extremely devoted man. He immersed himself in science to the exclusion of nearly all other interests and relationships, and found himself very alone in his pursuits. However, as most men and women of powerful intellect, he was driven by the need to prove his theories and to understand the Creator's world.

Christianson explores Newton's deep Christian feelings and beliefs, his political ideas, and his scientific discoveries and controversies with extraordinary precision and elegant language. This is definitely the best biography I have read this year (2007). I'm so glad I invested the time and money in this glorious and inspiring biography of a never-to-be-forgotten genius!

4 people found this helpful

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Betty Burks

Genius in Physics and Astronomy.

Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2006

Sir Isaac Newton was a mathematical genius, a sharp intellect, but since he was so reclusive, he could have suffered from a type of autism (whatever it was called in 17th century England). "Doing easily what othres find difficult is talent; doing what is impossible for talent is genius." Wordsworth was waxing poetic; I think he was jealous of Newton's scholarship. He'd created the first reflecting telescope, formulated his theory of gravity in 1666 (year of the Great Fire in England), a a new light theory, and calculus. He was the ultimate scientific scholar of this ages.

Just because he was a loner, a mystery surrounded his every achievement. Being an introspective child on an island, he wasn't exactly notmal. He earned his degree at Cambridge University where he taught in Trinity College. Later, he instituted confrontations with noted mathematicians and astronomers, such a change in personality. What would he do about today's astronomy "experts" demoting the status of Pluto. That's equilavent to the CEO becoming a menial worker in a factory. Nothing is sacred anymore.

This is written in the modern history style, not the facts and facts alone, but supposition and embellishment. A lot of dialogue from so long ago which was not recorded. Hubble stimulated Newton to wori on a quest to solve an ellipitical problem concerning the planets. He was like the father in the play, "Proof," who calculated and kept vague explantions. Genius is creativity turned inward. Newton founded the branch of modern physics called dynamics.

Despite his hard-earned fame, he continued his secretive ways. Amazingly, he was appointed to the House of Commons in 1689. He had long silver hair at age 46 and had no need for a white wig. He participated in the most important session of Parliament in English history. He had an illustrious career with some disappointments. In 1727, he died. Albert Einstein, the greatest scientist (also had long hair) since Newton, wrote: "Nature to him was an open book, whose letters he could read without effort." He was entombed in Westminster Abbey not far from Geoffrey Chaucer's crypt. The author was a history professor at Indiana State University. He now lives in Georgia where he is busy doing research.

7 people found this helpful

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AM First Reviews

Excellant Biography !

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2013

Christianson has done a wonderful and remarkable job in bringing the Genius (Isaac Newton) alive in pages that is toned with the backdrop of English history. All the major points of this Great Man's Life are covered with an interesting and engaging writing style. There is hardly any "filler " material here, it is to the point, chronological and as I've mentioned, written in a very interesting and engaging way that keeps you interested from chapter to chapter to the very end. Superb job, loved every page !!

One person found this helpful

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R. A. Everett

Good book. Easy to read.

Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2021

Verified Purchase

Good book about his life in general. Easy book to read. Now I will look for a book that will give more details on his scientific work.

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Top reviews from other countries

James B.

One never tires.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2017

Verified Purchase

This individual is without question the pinnacle of the human intellect. Working alone during the so called 'annus mirabilis', the clockwork of nature has never been exposed by one man, so reassuringly and in so much detail. I never tire of reading Newton at his full cerebral prowess and can fully understand the people who lived and knew Newton thought he was a living God. Great read as an introduction to this true genius.

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