As origens da ciência moderna

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-This readable biography puts Kepler's life, discoveries, and writings in the context of the religious persecutions of the early 17th century and shows how his religious bias led him to make great scientific discoveries. Personal anecdotes about such topics as his relationship with fellow astronomer Tycho Brahe, his mother's trial for witchcraft, and his lifetime of work on the Rudolfine Tables fill the narrative. The writing is strongest when dealing with his discoveries, as the descriptions of his personal life sometimes seem tedious and repetitive. Excellent boxed sections explain the astronomer's three laws of planetary motion with clear diagrams that illustrate their principles and derivation. A compelling passage summarizes the Somnium (The Dream), a fictional work in which he created moon creatures to explain the motion of the earth in a heliocentric system. This book is enhanced with fascinating and informative reproductions, including facsimiles of Kepler's writings. Overall, an enjoyable introduction to a complex scientific life.
Jeffrey A. French, Euclid Public Library, OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This intriguing biography from the Oxford Portraits in Science series discusses the life and work of Johannes Kepler (1571^-1630). Trained in theology, Kepler accepted a position as a mathematics teacher. He then went to the assistance of noted astronomer Tycho Brahe and became the imperial mathematician for Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire. Kepler lived in tumultuous times and suffered the religious persecution of his family and the trial of his mother for witchcraft, along with disease, war, and the deaths of loved ones. Nevertheless, he managed to discover the three laws of planetary motion, to calculate the movements and positions of the planets with great accuracy, and to do important work in optics as well. Voelkel weaves the many strands of Kepler's story into an intricate but satisfying narrative. To be illustrated with reproductions of period portraits, prints, and documents. A fine addition to both science and biography collections. Carolyn Phelan

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