The Bottom Line
While many of us know the basic story of the life of Galileo, most of us were not aware he even had a personal life. This excellent story, told mainly in his daughter's letters reveals the real man.
Pros
- Historically Accurate
- Moving Account
- In Depth
Cons
- Couldn't Put It Down
Description
- Sobel is an excellent storyteller.
- Reveals much about life in the 17th Century.
- Discover Galileo the man as well as the astronomer.
Guide Review - Galileo's Daughter - A Life in Astronomy
Galileo Galilei, perhaps one of the greatest minds ever, began modern astronomy by using a telescope to make his observations of the evening sky. His work with weights and surfaces was a forerunner to later developments of Isaac Newton. His acceptance of the Copernican Theory caused him much trouble with the Catholic Church.
There was more to the man than these dry facts though.
Galileo only ever loved one woman. He never married her, though they produced three children together. Although he only officially recognized his son, he provided for all three children in a manner consistent with the times.
The love this family shared is made obvious in these letters written by his oldest daughter from her convent home.
