まず、ルネッサンス期のパトロンに頼るものとしコペルニクス、ガリレオ、ケプラーなどを上げ生活と仕事を概説する。特に３次元方程式の解法に関するタルタリアやカルダーノなどの先陣争いとだれが最初の発見者かに関する記載は面白い｡また、コペルニクスはエルムランドという小国の実力者で政治にも才能を発揮したなど予想外の話も聞ける｡
１７世紀になり王立学会や大学に職を得て自立し始める研究者が出始める｡その一人がフックやニュートンであり、彼らの功名心や対立が赤裸々に記述されている｡そして、１８世紀になり、フランスのエコールポリティックスや英国の王立研究所ができ職業科学者が誕生していくさまが描かれる｡フランスではラプラスやフーリエらが、ナポレオンについたり離れたりする様子が描かれている｡やはりフーリエ級数のフーリエがエジプト遠征についていっていたようだ｡
今まで知らなかったことが、いろいろ分かり非常に面白かった｡
The reader learns through the eyes of Galileo's daughter about his love of science, women, and his children. We also learn about his love and repect for the church and the anguish he faces when some powerful members of the clergy cannot understand that that Galileo's love (and perhaps stubborness) for the scientific ``truth" is not meant to be a form of insubordination.
Although details of the daughter's life are kept to a minimum, the few that appear in the letters give the reader a fascinating glimpse of the very impovershed and miserable life of sisters. Their lack of food, heat and comfort are contrasted by the wealth surrounding the male clergy - some of whom come to condemn the work of Galileo.
The contents of the book are fascinating, however, there are two minor drawbacks which have lead me to give it a 4-star rather than the full 5-star rating. First, the prose may be too difficult for non-English speakers since it is written in an old-fashioned style consistent with the period in which the protagosists lived. And second, the book begins to move very slowly near the latter few chapters when Galileo begins to face increasing difficulties with the leaders of the clergy.
