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This year marks the 400th anniversary of the invention of Galileo's telescope in 1609. In honor of this revolutionary event, try reading this biography of Galileo which reveals
some of what drove Galileo in his quest for knowledge, success, and in his relationship with the Catholic hierarchy.

Author of the bestselling Longitude, Dava Sobel again does a fine job in Galileo's Daughter of revealing a controversial and pivotal event in the history of science as an enthralling human story. Find this book in our catalog.


Galileo’s daughter of the title is Suor Maria Celeste, the elder of Galileo’s two illegitimate daughters. Both were lodged in a convent because they were considered unmarriageable because of their illegitimacy. The story unfolds through 124 letters sent by Maria Celeste to her father, published in this book verbatim and in translation for the first time. Maria Celeste was deeply involved in her father's life work, even transcribing his writings. Her letters show us the human side of Galileo’s trial for heresy, his recantation, his banishment, and house arrest. The letters also reveal fascinating insights into daily life of the times: the harshness of life, especially for women. In her letters Suor Maria Celeste does not express any sense of what we probably today would consider the injustice of her lot. Reading of her obvious loving relationship with her father allows us to see a very human side of the great man.

Labels: African American biography, Dava Sobel, Galileo - biography, Galileo's Daughter, History of science