Galileo

And the Science Deniers

Mario Livio

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9781501194740
• eBook ISBN:
  9781501194788
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Historical Biographies
• Index: Technology & Engineering

An “intriguing and accessible” (Publishers Weekly) interpretation of the life of Galileo Galilei, one of history’s greatest and most fascinating scientists, that sheds new light on his discoveries and how he was challenged by science deniers. “We really need this story now, because we’re living through the next chapter of science denial” (Bill McKibben).

Galileo’s story may be more relevant today than ever before. At present, we face enormous crises—such as minimizing the dangers of climate change—because the science behind these threats is erroneously questioned or ignored. Galileo encountered this problem 400 years ago. His discoveries, based on careful observations and ingenious experiments, contradicted conventional wisdom and the teachings of the church at the time. Consequently, in a blatant assault on freedom of thought, his books were forbidden by church authorities.

Astrophysicist and bestselling author Mario Livio draws on his own scientific expertise and uses his “gifts as a great storyteller” (The Washington Post) to provide a “refreshing perspective” (Booklist) into how Galileo reached his bold new conclusions about the cosmos and the laws of nature. A freethinker who followed the evidence wherever it led him, Galileo was one of the most significant figures behind the scientific revolution. He believed that every educated person should know science as well as literature, and insisted on reaching the widest audience possible, publishing his books in Italian rather than Latin.

Galileo was put on trial with his life in the balance for refusing to renounce his scientific convictions. He remains a hero and inspiration to scientists and all of those who respect science—which, as Livio reminds us in this “admirably clear and concise” (The Times, London) book, remains threatened everyday.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Preface
• Chapter 1: Rebel with a Cause
• Chapter 2: A Humanist Scientist
• Chapter 3: A Leaning Tower and Inclined Planes
• Chapter 4: A Copernican
• Chapter 5: Every Action Has a Reaction
• Chapter 6: Into a Minefield
• Chapter 7: This Proposition Is Foolish and Absurd
• Chapter 8: A Battle of Pseudonyms
• Chapter 9: The Assayer
• Chapter 10: The Dialogo
• Chapter 11: The Gathering Storm
• Chapter 12: The Trial
• Chapter 13: I Abjure, Curse, and Detest
• Chapter 14: One Old Man, Two New Sciences
• Chapter 15: The Final Years
• Chapter 16: The Saga of Pio Paschini
• Chapter 17: Galileo’s and Einstein’s Thoughts on Science and Religion
• Chapter 18: One Culture
• Photographs
• Acknowledgments
• About the Author
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Index
• Photo Credits
• Copyright