Newton by Patricia Fara
Isaac Newton has become an intellectual avatar for our modern age, the man who, as even children know, was inspired to codify nature's laws by watching an apple fall from a tree. This book is a cultural history of the interrelated origins of modern science, the concept of a genius and fame.
Fara's unconventional biography explores this notion of fame-cum-sainthood, Newton's life, and the development of cultural identity spawned by a consumer revolutionScience News Fascinating... Nothing seems beyond Fara's grasp in her scholarly examination of apples and alchemy, physics and fame, public relations and reputation. Kirkus Reviews An audacious and engaging examination of science, celebrity and the nature of genius... The journey Fara takes us on is no less than the journey of science's progress in public esteem since the end of the 17th century and, as such, it is immensely valuable... beautifully done. National Post She simply and clearly describes the trajectory of Newton's image, both metaphorical and literal, in the form of portraits and coins...One would like to say that if Newton had not existed he would have to be invented, but what Fara shows us is that he has been invented. New Scientist The story of how a reclusive scholar who wrote mainly about alchemy and theology was transformed into history's greatest scientist, a popular hero, and an icon for our modern age. Library Journal This scholarly but accessible social history examines the reasons behind Isaac Newton's canonization as scientific genuis, the modern-day equivalent, the author asserts, of secular sainthood. Publisher's Weekly One of those books-Paul Johnson's Birth of the Modern is another-that sets you to thinking about the deep currents of thought that prevail in any given age... An excellent survey, from all angles, of Newton's reputation. The New Criterion This is...the most efficient historical biographical scetch I have ever read. -- John Fraser National Post Fara offers a fascinating chronicle of the fate of the reputation of Newton from his own times to recent revisions... This volume is a pleasure to read. Choice The interested reader will discover that Newton has become an intellectual icon for our modern age not only by means of his extraordinary mathematical discoveries. Many other aspects of his life have been exploited to create the image of him. They are examined in this very interesting book. -- Massimo Galuzzi Mathematical Reviews
Patricia Fara lectures in the history and philosophy of science department at Cambridge University and is a fellow of Clare College. She lives in Cambridge, England.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780231128063 |
| ISBN 10 | 0231128061 |
| Title | Newton |
| Author | Patricia Fara |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Columbia University Press |
| Year published | 2002-12-11 |
| Number of pages | 384 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |