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Rating: 
Summary: Excellent example of biographers art- Comprehensive & clear
Review: A comprehensive yet clearly written biography spanning every facet of the life of one of the worlds true geniuses. Compelling from beginning to end this book combines extensive research with a passion to provide an insight into both the work and personal life of Newton. Whilst other work may need to be consulted by the most mathematically minded, readers with a yearning for an insight into Newton's discoveries will generally be pleased at the detail provided. My only critism would be that this very large tome came to an end. Purchasers should be aware that at over 900 pages the paperback version of this book will require careful treatment if it is to survive.
Rating:
Summary: Pebbles on a shore
Review: There are a fair number of Newton biographies, this one is the most comprehensive and thorough, with a full treatment of the development of Newton's scientific and mathematical thought. What is remarkable is how rapidly Newton mastered the essentials of the techniques of his contemporaries, quietly reaching the forefront of knowledge, this in a few years, and without much prior training before his arrival in the world of Cambridge, where he flowered at once despite the almost defunct educational status of this university. The myth, however, of the annus mirabilis needs replacement with the reality of the anni mirabili, next to the near abandonment of mathematics for some years as Newton's concerns passed to encompass something broader than pure physics and his deskdrawer 'calculus' still embedded in geometrical formalisms. The final composition of the Principia in the wake of the coaxing forth of De Motu is grounds for thunderous applause for Halley who had the presence of mind to grasp who he was dealing with and the politic manner needed to communicate/negotiate with the reclusive prime mover of theory. His great work complete Newton is off to rescue the coinage at the Royal Mint,thence to the forgettable episodes of the priority quarrel with Leibniz. This work is slow but superb on all aspects of Newton's life.
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Summary: A superb biography of Isaac newton
Review: This book is a detailed and wide ranging biography of Isaac Newton. Though long (908 pages), the writing is crisp and precise. There is sufficient detail here that justifies the subject. Isaac Newton was arguably the greatest mathematician that ever lived except perhaps for Mersene. Every aspect of Newton's life is described in good detail. There is enough mathematics here to justify the biographical needs and to interest the reader to explore further. If you wish to get more of Newton's mathematics I recommend his Principia which is still a good read. All in all this book is excellent. The nature and scope of the subject matter demands that the book be long. But the time and effort spent will be richly rewarded.
Rating:
Summary: A superb biography of Isaac newton
Review: This book is a detailed and wide ranging biography of Isaac Newton. Though long (908 pages), the writing is crisp and precise. There is sufficient detail here that justifies the subject. Isaac Newton was arguably the greatest mathematician that ever lived except perhaps for Mersene. Every aspect of Newton's life is described in good detail. There is enough mathematics here to justify the biographical needs and to interest the reader to explore further. If you wish to get more of Newton's mathematics I recommend his Principia which is still a good read. All in all this book is excellent. The nature and scope of the subject matter demands that the book be long. But the time and effort spent will be richly rewarded.
Rating:
Summary: Unquestionably a masterpiece!
Review: This is in the same class as Ray Monk's Wittgenstein biography or Martin Gilbert's Churchill. I couldn't put it down until I was at the back page, many dozens of hours after I began! It left me exhausted but enriched! This sets a standard by which the modern science biography should be judged. Westfall says something to the effect that the more you know about a person, the closer you get to them, but in Newton's case, the more we learn, the more mysterious he becomes. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone who pay a tribute to Newton must buy
Review: This is the most authorative biograghy of Newton, the greatest genius of all time!! No need to add more words to praise him. Though the book runs over 900 pages, you would be reading the book breathless until the last page!!! ( similar view from other readers. )
Rating:
Summary: Everyone who pay a tribute to Newton must buy
Review: This is the most authorative biograghy of Newton, the greatest genius of all time!! No need to add more words to praise him. Though the book runs over 900 pages, you would be reading the book breathless until the last page!!! ( similar view from other readers. )
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