Galileo: Watcher of the Skies

"Demonstrates an awesome command of the vast Galileo literature . . . [Wootton] excels in boldly speculating about Galileo's motives" (The New York Times Book Review).

Tackling Galileo as astronomer, engineer, and author, David Wootton places him at the center of Renaissance culture. He traces Galileo through his early rebellious years; the beginnings of his scientific career constructing a "new physics"; his move to Florence seeking money, status, and greater freedom to attack intellectu...