Galileo's Daughter
by Dava Sobel · first published 1999
8mentions
3recommended by
6HN commenters
2013–2024first – last mentioned
50% recommend33% neutral17% critical
A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and LoveInspired by her long fascination with Galileo, and by the remarkable surviving letters of his daughter, which she has translated into English for the first time, Dava Sobel has written a book of great originality and power, a biography unlike any ever written on the man Albert Einstein called “the father of modern physics – indeed of modern science altogether.”Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was the foremost scientist of his day. Though he never left italy, his birthplace, his inventions and discoveries were heralded around the world. His telescopes
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
I found the book "Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love" by Dava Sobel fascinating, really clarifies many misconceptions about Galileo.
on “Opposition to Galileo was scientific, not just religious” ↗Seconding this, and I'd add that Sobel's Galileo's Daughter was also a good read for anyone interested in the history of science.
on “Timekeeping Before Clocks” ↗I liked Longitude and would recommend Galileo's Daughter, also by Dava Sibel. It's a biography of Galileo supplemented with letters he exchanged with his daughter, who was a Catholic nun.
on “Longitude found: the story of Harrison's clocks” ↗I read a book, "Galileo's Daughter" that was not strictly about the heliocentrism affair, but gave enough of the details, plus what I thought was good insight into the surrounding social and political issues. One interesting political…
on “When scientific orthodoxy resembles religious dogma” ↗Also perhaps of some interest: > Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love is a book by Dava Sobel. It is based on the surviving letters of Galileo Galilei's daughter, the nun Suor Maria Celeste, and explores the relationship…
on “Galileo and Heliocentricity: A Rough Guide (2014)” ↗See also Galileo's Daughter: > Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love is a book by Dava Sobel published in 1999. It is based on the surviving letters of Galileo Galilei's daughter [to him], the nun…
on “Descartes’ Daughter” ↗I read one of his biographies ("Galileo's Daughter") and I don't know where that characterization may come from, news to me (not disputing it).
on “US plans to produce ‘Iberian’ ham in Texas and Georgia” ↗…historical accuracy get in the way of a good story. It's biased against Maskelyne, and gives undue attention to crazy ideas (about how to determine longitude) that were ridiculed at the time. Her other book, "Galileo's Daughter", is just like that. Drama and story above facts.
on “UTC: How Greenwich mean time became the world standard” ↗