Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist
by Thomas Levenson
It is essential when reading non-fiction that something new is learned. It is also essential when enjoying non-fiction that what is learned is fun to talk about. This book was both informative and discussion worthy.
I learned a lot about Isaac Newton, for instance, that his major work "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" was printed only when a colleague asked him his thoughts on a vexing problem of the day. He immediately answered the question to his colleagues surprise who asked him to write down his solution. During the next year and a half, "Principles", was written which made Newton a rock star.
"Newton and the Counterfeiter" is full of antidotes building to what the title implies, a show down between the Mathematician and the criminal mastermind.
The conclusion left me a little disappointed. I guess I wanted Newton to be like Sherlock Holmes using science and intelligence to capture the notorious criminal when ultimately it was, in my opinion, a case filled with unreliable eye witnesses. All in all it was a good read that would recommend.
On a side note, a friend of mine, JT, recommended I listen to podcast #423: The Invention of Money from NPR's This American Life. This was an outstanding complement to the book. It highlights what Newton recognized over 300 years ago, that money is nothing more than trust.
It is essential when reading non-fiction that something new is learned. It is also essential when enjoying non-fiction that what is learned is fun to talk about. This book was both informative and discussion worthy.
I learned a lot about Isaac Newton, for instance, that his major work "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" was printed only when a colleague asked him his thoughts on a vexing problem of the day. He immediately answered the question to his colleagues surprise who asked him to write down his solution. During the next year and a half, "Principles", was written which made Newton a rock star.
"Newton and the Counterfeiter" is full of antidotes building to what the title implies, a show down between the Mathematician and the criminal mastermind.
The conclusion left me a little disappointed. I guess I wanted Newton to be like Sherlock Holmes using science and intelligence to capture the notorious criminal when ultimately it was, in my opinion, a case filled with unreliable eye witnesses. All in all it was a good read that would recommend.
On a side note, a friend of mine, JT, recommended I listen to podcast #423: The Invention of Money from NPR's This American Life. This was an outstanding complement to the book. It highlights what Newton recognized over 300 years ago, that money is nothing more than trust.
