Product Description

Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) is remembered as one of the greatest medieval astronomers in the tradition of Copernicus and Galileo, a man who made major contributions to physics, astronomy, and mathematics. Born in Germany and trained as a theologian, Kepler did not hesitate to challenge church doctrine by supporting the iconoclastic theory of a Sun-centered solar system. As Imperial Mathematician to the Holy Roman Emperor, he conducted careful observations of the night sky, which led to his discovery of the three Laws of Planetary Motion and the orbit of Mars. He also devised the Rudolphine Tables on planetary movements, and made key improvements to the telescope. Voelkel vividly describes the scientific achievements, providing enough background in physics and trigonometry so even beginners can enjoy this book. The author also gives us a captivating account of Kepler's tumultuous life, plagued by misery, disease, and fervent religious prosecution by the Catholic Church.

Oxford Portraits in Science is an ongoing series of scientific biographies for young adults. Written by top scholars and writers, each biography examines the personality of its subject as well as the thought process leading to his or her discoveries. These illustrated biographies combine accessible technical information with compelling personal stories to portray the scientists whose work has shaped our understanding of the natural world.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1120366 in Books
• Published on: 1999-11-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 144 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up-This readable biography puts Kepler's life, discoveries, and writings in the context of the religious persecutions of the early 17th century and shows how his religious bias led him to make great scientific discoveries. Personal anecdotes about such topics as his relationship with fellow astronomer Tycho Brahe, his mother's trial for witchcraft, and his lifetime of work on the Rudolfine Tables fill the narrative. The writing is strongest when dealing with his discoveries, as the descriptions of his personal life sometimes seem tedious and repetitive. Excellent boxed sections explain the astronomer's three laws of planetary motion with clear diagrams that illustrate their principles and derivation. A compelling passage summarizes the Somnium (The Dream), a fictional work in which he created moon creatures to explain the motion of the earth in a heliocentric system. This book is enhanced with fascinating and informative reproductions, including facsimiles of Kepler's writings. Overall, an enjoyable introduction to a complex scientific life.
Jeffrey A. French, Euclid Public Library, OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
This intriguing biography from the Oxford Portraits in Science series discusses the life and work of Johannes Kepler (1571^-1630). Trained in theology, Kepler accepted a position as a mathematics teacher. He then went to the assistance of noted astronomer Tycho Brahe and became the imperial mathematician for Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire. Kepler lived in tumultuous times and suffered the religious persecution of his family and the trial of his mother for witchcraft, along with disease, war, and the deaths of loved ones. Nevertheless, he managed to discover the three laws of planetary motion, to calculate the movements and positions of the planets with great accuracy, and to do important work in optics as well. Voelkel weaves the many strands of Kepler's story into an intricate but satisfying narrative. To be illustrated with reproductions of period portraits, prints, and documents. A fine addition to both science and biography collections. Carolyn Phelan

Review
"Admirable book ... shows true mastery of a subject ... exemplary in the way it emphasizes originality of achievement ... The book is exemplary also in its narration and presentation. It is beautifully illustrated.... Also offers much of great value for older historians of science."--Journal for the History of Astronomy

"An excellent addition to the series... Voelkel's book ... should appeal to younger readers and flows smoothly from one topic to another. The many illustrations add to the narrative.... I recommend the book highly for school and public libraries."--Science Books and Films

"I was quickly drawn into the story and enjoyed reading it for relaxation.... A well-written summary of Kepler's life and times, full of insight, and a delight to read."--Planetarian

"Intriguing biography... Voelkel weaves the many strands of Kepler's story into an intricate and satisfying narrative.... A fine addition to both science and biography collections."--Booklist

"Readable biography... Excellent boxed sections explain the astronomer's three Laws of Planetary Motion with clear diagrams.... Enhanced with fascinating and informative reproductions, including facsimiles of Kepler's writings.... An enjoyable introduction to a complex scientific life."--School Library Journal

"Written by a top scholar, the biography examines the personality of its subject as well as the thought process leading to his discoveries."--Curriculum Administrator


"Readable biography... Excellent boxed sections explain the astronomer's three Laws of Planetary Motion with clear diagrams.... Enhanced with fascinating and informative reproductions, including facsimiles of Kepler's writings.... An enjoyable introduction to a complex scientific life."--School Library Journal
"Intriguing biography... Voelkel weaves the many strands of Kepler's story into an intricate and satisfying narrative.... A fine addition to both science and biography collections."--Booklist
"An excellent addition to the series... Voelkel's book ... should appeal to younger readers and flows smoothly from one topic to another. The many illustrations add to the narrative.... I recommend the book highly for school and public libraries."--Science Books & Films
"I was quickly drawn into the story and enjoyed reading it for relaxation.... A well-written summary of Kepler's life and times, full of insight, and a delight to read."--Planetarian
"Written by a top scholar, the biography examines the personality of its subject as well as the thought process leading to his discoveries."--Curriculum Administrator
"Admirable book ... shows true mastery of a subject ... exemplary in the way it emphasizes originality of achievement ... The book is exemplary also in its narration and presentation. It is beautifully illustrated.... Also offers much of great value for older historians of science."--Journal for the History of Astronomy

Customer Reviews

Kepler's work made the heliocentric theory forever undeniable
Kepler is the middle third of the great triumvirate of physicists that led humanity from a point where little was known about planetary motion to where nearly all was known. The first was Galileo Galilei and the last was Isaac Newton. Kepler contributed the three laws of planetary motion that are now named after him. They are:

*) The planets follow elliptical orbits about the sun.
*) The line connecting the planet to the sun sweeps out equal areas over equal times.
*) The square of the period of an orbit divided by the cube of the mean distance is a constant.

While Copernicus published the first convincing heliocentric theory, it was Kepler who gave the theory a mathematical foundation based on the years of accurate observations made by Tycho Brahe. It was his work that convinced the learned world that the planets orbited the sun.
When reading the history of Kepler, it is astonishing that he managed to be successful. He suffered from poor health, petty jealousies, lack of income, the death of some of his children, major religious persecution, plague and a war that devastated central Europe. He lived in a time of major religious conflict as the Reformation had moved strongly forward and the Counter-Reformation was responding violently. Kepler was a Protestant and remained so under the real threat of banishment and even death. Approximately one third of the people in central Europe perished during the widespread destruction of the thirty years war, which went on around Kepler. He was once trapped in a city placed under siege by Protestant forces and when told he must convert to Catholicism or be banished, he chose to leave.
Through it all, Kepler continued his intellectual pursuits, sometimes down false paths, but through perseverance and dedication, he was able to solve the puzzle of planetary motion. This story is not so much about the physicist persona of Kepler, it is a tale of triumph over tremendous obstacles where the result was of great benefit to all of humanity. This is a good, direct story of Kepler, his life and the environment he toiled in. I strongly recommend it as a textbook about Kepler, the history of his times and how modern physics was developed. Very little background in physics is needed to understand the presentation.

TOUCHING STORY OF A GENIUS OF HIS TIMES
after reading this book you can't help but feel for this man... the tremendous upheavels he went through always worried about religious persecution but escaping it because of his position at court... but it gives a genuine feel of 'escaping by the skin of one's teeth'

then his many moves from city to city, taking family with him, all the deaths of family including children he endured and always religiously devout, believing in God and not one creed or another, always putting his heart and soul into his labors...

a remarkable story or a pious, honest, hard working, brilliant man of his times... it would have been a deep honor to know this man

Great Book about One of Astronomy's Greatest Men
This piece does a great job at showing how Kepler changed astronomy and how it changed him.