Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful reconcilliation of the paradoxes
Review: I had been a little disappointed in White's biography of da Vinci, Leonardo: The First Scientist (for which see my review), because I felt he had overstepped the boundaries of the available data and wandered vastly into the realm of speculation. When his book Isaac Newton: The Last Sorcerer came to my attention I was dubious, but I needn't have been. This volume seems very well researched, and what speculation the author offers is not beyond that which arises naturally from his material. In fact, it is not much beyond that which other authors have also raised. Although I have never read a book entirely dedicated to the physicist, I have often run across biographical information on the man in my other reading on the topic of physics. My first introduction to Newton as a person was in an early book by Carl Sagan. The latter seemed inclined to view Newton as a petty, introverted man who came up with a brilliant contribution to science but who was otherwise enmeshed in the totally unscientific pursuit of alchemy, an endeavor that ultimately poisoned him after first driving him mad. It must be admitted, however, that Sagan's primary purpose had not been a biography of Newton. White definitely gives the subject a better and fairer hearing. In The Last Sorcerer, he makes it obvious that Newton's dabbling in the occult sciences, while less productive of useful information itself, helped structure his way of thinking about other problems which did. Furthermore, he gives credit to the man's thorough knowledge of metals, solvents, furnaces and techniques involved in alchemy, in short of incipient chemistry, as a contributing factor to his later successes in science and other endeavors. He notes too that other notable and productive scientists of the time are known to have dabbled in this subject. This after all was a time of emergent science, when anything yet seemed possible. In going beyond Newton the genius of physics, White brings the whole man to the fore. He explains some of his social background (upper middle class for the day), his ambition (the YUPPIES of that generation), the origin of his paranoia regarding his work (not unlike the high-tech world's concern over the loss of rights to its intellectual property through theft), and his pettiness (though here White wanders farthest into speculation). It was interesting to know that Newton had enjoyed several careers during his long lifetime. He brought his considerable talents and drive to the rolls of academic, politician, Master of the Mint (during which time he also became a detective and public prosecutor of sorts), and Royal Society president. I have to admit to a certain shock--obviously felt, too, by those of his time--at Newton's vicious persecution of scientific rivals. The degree to which he and Robert Hooke went at it, with the latter coming off as the villain, was surprising enough. The battles between Newton and the Astronomer Royal Flamsteed, whose life's work was virtually stolon without compensation for Newton's benefit, and that between him and the brilliant mathematician Leibneiz, with whom Newton now shares the laurels for the creation of the Calculus, is appalling. It certainly shows the degree to which even our scientific heros participate in "feet of clay!" It also shows the pitfalls of hero worship. In the end White reminds us that wonderful work can come from people we don't really like very much, which reminds us too that, unlike technology and art wherein things are invented or created and are therefore one of a kind, science is a body of discoveries. If not Einstein, then probably someone else. Maybe later than it actually occurred, but still eventually. Newton was apparently enough aware of this fact to guard his priority with all the aggressiveness of a lioness her cubs. I found it most interesting the degree to which Newton and others of his time were self taught. Although many of the scientifically productive men of the time received university education, as did Newton himself, much of their overall knowledge had been gleaned by their own studies. It has always been my opinion that our educational system tends to discourage the student's curiosity by channeling it forcefully along specific courses, without due attention to that individual's personal interests. While not all of us will be Newtons, and certainly not all of us have his gift of concentration and driven singleness of purpose, most might benefit from a greater latitude in what we read when we are learning to read, and how we use mathematics when we learn them.
Rating: 
Summary: Still a massive figure, but ordinary after all.
Review: I start in confessional mode - Newton has long been one of my heroes. Some time ago, I read significant parts of his major works; both Opticks and Principia [or The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy]. The King's School, Grantham, was also my place of secondary education, so I have seen the statue of `Ike' in the centre of Grantham in rain and sunshine. This book takes the statue off its pedestal, but still leaves readers in awe at the colossal figure in history that was Isaac Newton.
There is much more to Newton than the three laws of motion. White fills in some background, and gives interesting details about not only Newton's life, but that of those around him. It leaves a story of a man obsessed - with proving himself, with secrecy, and with power. Not everyone would agree with the broad tenets of the book (e.g. that to understand Newton, you need to understand his alchemical work, or that Newton laid the ground work for the Industrial Revolution), but it give pause for thought. Newton has been much written about, and White gives some fresh insights on what has not, after all, already been done to death. The slant upon `standing upon the shoulders of Giants', being a reference to Robert Hooke's physical deformity, means that this phrase is usually quoted out of context. Newton had a vitriolic turn of phrase!
One of the major themes of Newton's life is his singular fondness of picking quarrels with people; amongst others Robert Hooke, Flamsteed, and Leibnitz. Oh, the extreme politeness of professional animosity, damning with faint praise rather than going for the jugular vein. Was Newton ever wrong? Yes, but White argues that he admitted to making `a silly mistake' rather than being found fundamentally in error. There are good insights into the character of the man, and why he thought that he was right, but perhaps Michael White is too hard on Newton's antagonists, particularly Hooke. Newton says that he does not want to be someone who merely proposes hypotheses; that may have driven him to prove himself. White also declares that Newton viewed life as a riddle to be understood, a code to be cracked, as a duty to the divine. Newton saw there only being one man in any era who could unlock these secrets; himself in his lifetime. As he saw it, the ancients had known things that Newton spent a life-time discovering, or re-discovering.
Beyond his major pieces of work, Isaac Newton posed some very tough questions. He spent significant parts of his last 40 years searching for the Holy Grail of physics, a so called `Unified Theory' (and indeed, whole teams have spent large parts of the 20th Century doing the same). The Queries at the end of the Opticks asks the penetrating "Does not light get bent by `gravity'?" (This was also a question that Einstein implied 200 years later.) Is there a possible pre-cursor of Quantum Mechanics is another Query, or is that just hind-sight? Hind-sight is a wonderful tool; it is never wrong. And that can sum up Newton - never wrong, at least in his own eyes.
No reference whatsoever has been made of Dr Samuel Clarke's correspondence with Leibnitz, where Clarke was speaking for his master. This is a massive omission; in these letters, Leibnitz pointed out that the calculus of Newton worked, but was flawed (because of two compensating errors), which led the German to say of Newton's disciples that they were `men more accustomed to calculate rather than think'. The two clashed over the place of God in the Universe. For Newton, God was a central part of his life, even if his views were rather unorthodox. God was the eternal watchmaker, who wound the watch up and set it going (and thereafter he rested). However, Leibnitz sees God as having a different role in continually sustaining His creation. Without God's active participation, the universe would fall apart.
Alchemy can help to explain Newton's reliance upon the unexplainable triplet of Action at a Distance, Absolute Space and Absolute Time, and it is hard for the modern mind to comprehend the influence of items that verge on occult. White raises questions about Newton's active involvement in more sinister elements, and touches upon possible reasons for the fire that destroyed some of his papers. What does come through is that Newton was both a very able administrator, and a manipulative, almost Machiavellian figure who used his position as President of the Royal Society for his own ends. He left the Royal Society and the Royal Mint in much better shape than when he took the lead of them, but over con trolled.
He came, he saw, he measured, he conquered. but Newton was a very flawed human being. Why is it that some of the finest minds have large amounts personal baggage? THAT is probably why they achieve what they do. Newton had a view that `second inventors count for nothing', although the History of Science is able to provide ample evidence of dual independent discovery (as in Newton and Leibnitz with differential calculus). This partly explains Newton's obsessive and secretive nature, and confrontational approach to some of his fellows. He was a genius and a very difficult man, and these two themes are very evident in the book.
In the end I am left liking Newton less, but admiring him more.
[...]
Rating: 
Summary: The best biography of Newton I've read to date
Review: I've read other biographies of Sir Isaac Newton, and this is the best. As the title suggests, there is an emphasis on his interest in Alchemy. I worried (unnecessarily as it turned out) that other aspects of his life would be neglected. But his time at the Royal Mint, and his clashes with Huygens, Hooke, Leibniz etc are well covered. The only disappointment for some readers might be that this is not an overtly scientific/mathematical biography - there are no formulae : so if you want to know that little more detail about Newton's discoveries, such as the Laws of Motion, Laws of Gravity, and Differential Calculus, you won't see any of that in here. In fact the word 'Gravity' (perhaps his most famous discovery) doesn't even appear in the Index (although the 'Apple' does).
Rating:
Summary: Sensationalistic but Interesting
Review: In his biography of Newton, White takes issue with the mythology built up by numerous previous biographers of Newton's highly rationalistic approach to science and mathematics. Instead, he presents Newton as a mystic and compulsive figure at odds with much of the thinking of what will become the scientific revolution. While White's investigations of Newton's intensive work in alchemy is very interesting and somewhat insightful as to understanding some of the places from which Newton may have drawn inspiration; many of his other assertations are not as bold as he presents or may be somewhat inaccurate. An example of this is Newton's strongly Arian views regarding religion. While certainly at odds with the theological dispositions of Cambridge, Newton's views were shared by a number of other historical figures of the time including John Locke. White fails to place Newton's theological thinking within a broader context of thought in Europe and in Britain at the time and, hence, sensationalizes the issue. Nowhere is this more obvious and evident than in White's treatment of Newton's relationship with a young French mathematician. Without a great deal of substantiation and in spite of Newton's other relationships White supposes this relationship to be a product of Newton's homosexual tendancies rather than an obsessive-compulsive personality. Again, it seems that the book is written more in a style of the British tabloids than in responsible biography. What does make this biography worth reading is its attempt to examine the psychological makeup of Newton and what factors might have influenced that makeup. A serious student of Newton's life will find this biography an interesting read but should temper it by also investigating the recent biography by James Gleick.
Rating:
Summary: Sensationalistic but Interesting
Review: In his biography of Newton, White takes issue with the mythology built up by numerous previous biographers of Newton's highly rationalistic approach to science and mathematics. Instead, he presents Newton as a mystic and compulsive figure at odds with much of the thinking of what will become the scientific revolution. While White's investigations of Newton's intensive work in alchemy is very interesting and somewhat insightful as to understanding some of the places from which Newton may have drawn inspiration; many of his other assertations are not as bold as he presents or may be somewhat inaccurate. An example of this is Newton's strongly Arian views regarding religion. While certainly at odds with the theological dispositions of Cambridge, Newton's views were shared by a number of other historical figures of the time including John Locke. White fails to place Newton's theological thinking within a broader context of thought in Europe and in Britain at the time and, hence, sensationalizes the issue. Nowhere is this more obvious and evident than in White's treatment of Newton's relationship with a young French mathematician. Without a great deal of substantiation and in spite of Newton's other relationships White supposes this relationship to be a product of Newton's homosexual tendancies rather than an obsessive-compulsive personality. Again, it seems that the book is written more in a style of the British tabloids than in responsible biography. What does make this biography worth reading is its attempt to examine the psychological makeup of Newton and what factors might have influenced that makeup. A serious student of Newton's life will find this biography an interesting read but should temper it by also investigating the recent biography by James Gleick.
Rating:
Summary: Bold, But it Pay's Off
Review: Most biographies of Newton will have you hating his rivals. This one will place them in their proper perspective. They were intelligent rivals whose antagonism spurred Newton to PROVE his greatness as much as drive him into being a recluse. The phrase "an enemy is an extension of your own shadow" was never more true of Isaac Newton. Although, he is so forgivable considering his charity of gifts. The bit about the homosexual relation is small, considered a hypothesis, and backed up with facts, even if they are not solid. But it's a solid read, with good perspective. I'd prefer Gleick's book, which does the same (no homosexuality though) with style AND some insight into the thoughts leading up to The Calculus and Principia and Optics. Because this books lacks that, I dropped a star. Worth reading anyhow for the perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Newton and development of science in Europe
Review: Newton was a great man in history and science, but not many people are familiar about him. This books shows how Newton rided on the road to success and reveals his characteristic. Although he was a scientist, Newton was quite strange. He loved alchemy, that is seldom mentioned in books about history of science. The writer of this book really shows all the sides of Newton.
Moreover, the writer has described the development of science in Europe at that time. This is really good for readers to learn more about the background of Newton's studies.
I think this is a good book for the people who want to know more about Newton.
Rating:
Summary: nobody buys that apple story anyway.
Review: people have criticized this biography for not being some kind of newtonian primer. if you want to learn the calculus, look elsewhere. newton's scientific theories are merely sketched here...BECAUSE IT'S A BIOGRAPHY. if you want to refer to the more obscure biographical details contained in this book as "gossip," so be it; but it's silly to take white to task for not giving you the principia in cliff's notes. that said, he is not the best author in the world. he does tend to stress certain points for no apparent reason; his phrasing is occassionally awkward and redundant; and too often he fails to back up his contentions with sufficient hard facts. but the book is readable enough anyway. betty jo dobbs' "janus faces of genius" is a much more thorough investigation of "the role of alchemy in newton's thought," and as far as popular biographies go, gale christianson's "in the presence of the creator" is more balanced and complete. the notion that alchemical experimentation contributed in any direct way to newton's "legitimate" scientific discoveries is disputable. all white offers conservatives is a vague description of the so-called "star regulus of antimony," an alchemical phenomenon whose formation suggests lines of force drawn towards an attractive center. his contention is that newton's observations of this regulus may have contributed to his coalescing conceptions of attraction and gravity. this biography is also a little less "clean" than others, emphasizing newton's paranoia, manipulativeness, and hypocrisy. if you can't deal with your hero's personal shortcomings being placed under the microscope, then pass it by. otherwise, dig in.
Rating:
Summary: Great biography of a twisted genius
Review: Think that Isaac Newton was the epitome of the cool, scientific, humanist mind? Think again. It turns out that the greatest scientific genius in history was a twisted, tortured mystic with homosexual tendencies, an ability to hold grudges for decades, an egomaniac, and a very petty man. The word "queen" (...) comes to mind. He spent a few years on his great mathematical and physics work. He spent decades and decades attempting to decipher alchemy and the Old Testament prophecies. He predicted the year that Chist would return to earth (1948). He thought the design of Solomon's temple was a code for all of recorded history. He wasted year after year on absurd alchemical experiments. He subscribed to the heresy of Arianism. He was deeply religious (and not at all secular) in his outlook (though not in his behavior). He was incapable of much human affection having been damaged by his upbringing. He went nuts several times. He sought revenge on his (perceived) enemies and did so with a tenacity and a ferocity that bordered on being satanic. This is an individual who would have been very comfortable as a guest on Art Bell's "Coast to Coast" program along with alien abduction "experts" and conspiracy theorists. He was brilliant and his mathematical work is still astounding. But forget the idea that he was some symbol of the new man of the enlightenment. He was nothing of the sort. A heck of a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Average Bio, Short on Science and Long on Gossip
Review: This biography of the discoverer of gravity and inventor of calculus by the co-author of a similar work on Einstein misses the mark. Michael White concentrates on filling the gaps in Newton's personal life - mainly focusing on all his feuds but also offering unprovable speculation about a relationship with another man and with a widow - but offers little insight into the science. It's as if White assumes everyone understands how gravity works and what calculus is. There's little here that shows me how great a scientist Newton was, but too much to tell me that he was not much of a human. There is also the author's contention that Newton's extensive dabblings in alchemy directly influenced his success as a thinker. Little evidence offered by White backs this up. White also undermines himself by connecting Newton's alchemy and Newton's unorthodox but deeply-felt Christian beliefs, thereby joining the far-too-long list of science writers who denigrate religion along the way to worshipping at the feet of Science. Beyond all that, this book is competently written if wordy. White clearly needs Gribbin's help to succeed as a biographer.
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