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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
There are so many glowing reviews of this book, I hesitate to add my opinion.
I did not enjoy this book in the least. I could barely force myself to wade through it. So much seemed irrelevant and insignificant and down-right boring. The premise - a biography of the brilliant scientist Galileo and told through letters from his illegitimate daughter - a cloistered nun - seemed like it would fascinate me. It did not. I could hardly pay attention when reading this one. The role that the church played in science was interesting, but maybe it was the way the book was written... it just didn't compel me to want to know more. I felt like I HAD to get through this book, not that I wanted to.
I'm glad that there are so many that enjoyed this book. It's an important story. I just didn't enjoy read it myself.
I did not enjoy this book in the least. I could barely force myself to wade through it. So much seemed irrelevant and insignificant and down-right boring. The premise - a biography of the brilliant scientist Galileo and told through letters from his illegitimate daughter - a cloistered nun - seemed like it would fascinate me. It did not. I could hardly pay attention when reading this one. The role that the church played in science was interesting, but maybe it was the way the book was written... it just didn't compel me to want to know more. I felt like I HAD to get through this book, not that I wanted to.
I'm glad that there are so many that enjoyed this book. It's an important story. I just didn't enjoy read it myself.
This book has given me such an appreciation for Galileo's genius and contributions to our modern world. Sobel clears up some myths about Galileo all the while paying homage to his memory.
Dava Sobel added "love" in her title, because much of what we know of the man is through the letters that have survived from his daughter Suor Maria Celeste. She wrote to him of the mundane and also of the existential, both in his life and her own. But Sobel doesn't rely strictly on these accounts, but rather weaves in the contextual world of Galileo's time. The need to tow the line with the papacy, and the cycles of the plague.
I was utterly charmed by the book: Galileo's supreme confidence in his observations, and by a daughter's love and affection for her father.
Dava Sobel added "love" in her title, because much of what we know of the man is through the letters that have survived from his daughter Suor Maria Celeste. She wrote to him of the mundane and also of the existential, both in his life and her own. But Sobel doesn't rely strictly on these accounts, but rather weaves in the contextual world of Galileo's time. The need to tow the line with the papacy, and the cycles of the plague.
I was utterly charmed by the book: Galileo's supreme confidence in his observations, and by a daughter's love and affection for her father.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This was a very interesting read, although definitely much more focused on Galileo than on his daughter.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I think it is a little bit mis-named. This book has little to nothing to do with the daughter - her letters are simply guiding fill for the story of Gallileo himself. Even so - it was a pretty good book - strange blend of non-fiction and reporting.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I'm sure this is a great book, but it just put me to sleep. I think it could have been written in a much more interesting manner.
This was recommended by a friend, and although I had expected a novel, it turned out to be an unusual biography -- but I loved it. The themes of science vs. religion are so relevant today, and the letters from Galileo's daughter, a cloistered nun, lend the story a wonderful intimacy. Somehow the author wrote a biography and history lesson that is as much of a page-turner as a good novel. Highly recommended.