Galileo's Daughter

Product Description

From the international best-selling author of Longitude Galileo's Daughter is the fascinating story of the relationship between the great Italian scientist Galileo & his daughter Virginia. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was the foremost scientist of his day 'the father of modern physics -- indeed of modern science altogether' in the words of Albert Einstein. Though he never left the Italy of his birth his inventions & discoveries were heralded around the world. His telescopes allowed him to reveal a new reality in the heavens & to defend the astounding proposition that the Earth actually moves around the Sun. For this belief he faced the Holy Office of the Inquisition & was subsequently tried for heresy & threatened with torture. Galileo is brought to life here as never before -- a man boldly compelled to explain the truths he discovered human in his frailties & faith devoted to family & especially to his daughter. Since there could be no hope of marriage for his illegitimate daughter Galileo placed her aged thirteen in a convent near him in Florence. She proved to be his greatest source of strength through his most difficult years. Through letters contemporary writings their voices are brought to vivid life & woven into Dava Sobel's compelling narrative. Galileo's Daughter tells the story of the most dramatic collision in history between science & religion. Dava Sobel illuminates an entire era when the flamboyant Medici Grand Dukes became Galileo's patrons when the Bubonic plague destroyed a generation & prayer was the most effective medicine when one man fought to reconcile the Heaven he revered as a good Catholic with the heavens he revealed through his telescope. Galileo's Daughter is a rich & unforgettable story.