Book Review (and miscellaneous): Galileo’s Daughter, by Dava Sobel

Galileo’s Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love

An interesting perspective on Galileo’s life and trials through the surviving letters of his daughter, who was cloistered in a convent for her entire adult life. Sadly, Galileo’s letters to her were lost to history. But her letters to him reveal a devoted father, his religious side, and other glimpses into Galileo’s humanity and broader story. Well worth a read if you are interested in the great astronomer and his life.

Things I did not expect:

* The lethal dangers of waterfall air-conditioning.
* In Galileo’s times, people believed comets were hairy stars.
* Galileo’s critics were derisively dubbed “The Pigeon League.”
* Aristotle believed vast, empty distances between stars were ridiculous because a god would not create something of no use to humans.
* The pope who condemned Galileo’s work had originally been a staunch supporter.
* Dried rhubarb is a natural laxative.
* Galileo’s daughter extracted her own molars.
* An aging Galileo accepted his blindness with grace (the irony!).

Choice quotes:

* “Philosophy is written in this grand book the universe, which stands continually open to our gaze” – Galileo (p16).
* “Galileo was unjustly sentenced by this Holy Congregation…he will live forever in his writings, even if they are prohibited” –Anonymous quoting of Archbishop Piccolomini, who sheltered Galileo (p327).
* “Galileo…is the father of modern physics—indeed all of modern science altogether” –Albert Einstein (p326).

5-Stars on [Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5821123568).

by ChristopherCFuchs