Heavenly Intrigue: Johannes Kepler, Tycho Brahe, and the Murder Behind One of History's Greatest Scientific Discoveries

A horribly misleading, mammoth disappointment!

Tapping deftly into pop culture's currently obsession with forensic science and criminology, the Gilders attempt to toss the reader an engaging conspiratorial claim that Johannes Kepler murdered Tycho Brahe, the astronomer to whom he was assistant. What they simply fail to do, and what ultimately sinks this book, is focus and simply put, 'keep their eye on the ball.' The bland narrative strays into many unrelated tangents, and for almost the first 150 pages of this brief book, there is absolutely no 'intrigue.' Just vapid descriptions of cultural snafus, religious dogmas, and scientific experimentation, which carry no reader closer to the seeming focus of their story: a murder.

Fun and Smart, Can't beat that!

This is a fantastic story. It is a well-researched and convincing case that Brahe was murdered and Kepler was the likely killer. I know a lot of people are going to say that this is just one more example of reporters trying to debunk a famous historical figure, like the guy who wrote about Einstein¿s numerous affairs. But the Gilders do not deny Kepler's genius or belittle his enormous contribution to science. Rather, they are willing to look at a distatseful character unflichingly and describe him honestly - warts and all. And what wonderfully fascinating warts! Unlike most other writers on this topic the Gilders manage to both clearly explain the science and the messy context in which it was developed. This book is a valuable reminder that science is not advanced in a vacuum but like art is the product of men's passions and characters. The best thing about this book, however, is that it delivers a rare literary double-pleasure; important knowledge effortlessly acquired through gripping entertainment.

A Compelling Case

I know a lot of people are going to say that this is just one more case of reporters trying to debunk a famous historical figure, like the guy who wrote about Einstein¿s numerous affairs. But in the end the Gilders' case rests or falls on the facts, most of which (including recent forensic evidence that Brahe was poisoned), other historians have decided to just pass off in a footnote or ignore completely. In my view, this book presents a well-researched, solid case, and I think a lot of science historians are going to be scrambling to catch up.

Crazy Genius

I really enjoyed this book, which reads like a novel, but has a wealth of research and references. I learned a lot about the science of early astronomy and was captivated by the main protagonists, Brahe and Kepler. Brahe was aristocratic, out-going, larger than life. Kepler was physically abused as a child and ended up a real mental case. For me, it made these remote, historical figures flesh and blood. Because the authors go back to the personal letters of these two men, you feel like you¿re getting to know them intimately. The portrait of Kepler is especially amazing: a genius who also happened to be a psychopath.

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Did modern science begin with a murder?

This book has it all: great science writing that really brings the world of medieval astronomy and alchemy alive, and two amazing personalities. Brahe was a flamboyant nobleman, Kepler an abused child grown up to be a very confused and violent adult. If they hadn't come together, Brahe would probably have lived quite a while longer, but Kepler wouldn't have discovered his Three Laws and Newton would probably never have discovered how gravity works. Did modern physics begin with a murder, as the authors say? Pretty intriguing, indeed.

Heavenly Intrigue is the 'Real Thing!'

I'm a big fan of Dava Sobel's Galileo's Daughter, and like that book, Heavenly Intrigue really brings its real-life character so alive! And they're fascinating characters who you want to read and learn more about as you get further and further into the book. It's definitely an historical page turner! What I really like was that the authors, Anne Lee and Josua Gilder went back to the original letters and other writing that have never been translated before and have Kepler and Brahe tell the story in their own words. Creative, original, ingenious and a wonderful book--I recommend it to all my friends, and have even gotten copies to give as gifts.

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