The illustrated on the shoulders of giants : the great works of physics and astronomy

The first edition of this revolutionary look at the scientific discoveries that changed our perception of the world, by the renowned physicist and bestselling author Stephen Hawking, sold over 65,000 copies. Now it’s available in a gift-worthy special edition with color photographs and illustrations depicting theoretical models of the planets and their orbits—making Hawking’s brilliant insights all the more accessible. This original compilation is based on seven classic works of physics and astronomy which, read in chronological order, trace the evolution of modern science. THE ILLUSTRATED ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS includes selections from On the Revolution of Heavenly Spheres by Nicolaus Copernicus; Principia by Sir Isaac Newton; The Principle of Relativity by Albert Einstein; Dialogues Concerning Two Sciences by Galileo Galilei with Alfonso De Salvio; plus Harmony of the World by Johannes Kepler. It also includes five important critical essays and an original biography of each physicist, written by Hawking himself.

World-renowned physicist and bestselling author Stephen Hawking presents a revolutionary look at the momentous discoveries that changed our perception of the world with this first-ever compilation of

Publishers Weekly

Acclaimed physicist Hawking has collected in this single illuminating volume the classic works of physics and astronomy that in their day revolutionized humankind's perception of the world. Included are Copernicus's On the Revolution of Heavenly Spheres, Galileo's Dialogues Concerning Two New Sciences, Kepler's Harmony of the World, Newton's The Principia and selections from The Principle of Relativity by Einstein. Taken together, these writings document the evolution of our conception of the universe from a pre-Copernican cosmos with a stationary earth at its center to one in which the very weave of time and space are relative. The editor's ability to step back and view the sweep of his subject was first showcased in his bestselling A Brief History of Time and confirmed in his The Universe in a Nutshell. In an essay introducing each work here, he gives a short and sweet biography of its author and an explanation of its significance, as well as the occasional gem, like Galileo's handwritten renunciation of his beliefs before the Inquisition. To read the works themselves is to feel the thrill and mystery of intimacy with oft-cited source documents. Despite the volume's heftiness, Hawking has given these works a setting that is elegantly simple and, in its simplicity, effectively broadening. (Oct.) Forecast: With a 100,000 first printing and $25,000 marketing campaign, Running Press won't let the book's heft discourage them from getting the word out. And with the fair price for this behemoth, their effort should pay off. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

World-renowned physicist and bestselling author Stephen Hawking presents a revolutionary look at the momentous discoveries that changed our perception of the world with this first-ever compilation of seven classic works on physics and astronomy. His choice of landmark writings by some of the world's great thinkers traces the brilliant evolution of modern science and shows how each figure built upon the genius of his predecessors. On the Shoulders of Giants includes, in their entirety, On the Revolution of Heavenly Spheres by Nicolaus Copernicus; Principia by Sir Isaac Newton; The Principle of Relativity by Albert Einstein; Dialogues Concerning Two Sciences by Galileo Galilei with Alfonso De Salvio; plus Mystery of the Cosmos, Harmony of the World, and Rudolphine Tables by Johannes Kepler. It also includes five critical essays and a biography of each featured physicist, written by Hawking himself. The world-renowned physicist presents a revolutionary look at the momentous discoveries that changed the perception of the world with this first-ever compilation of seven classic works on physics and astronomy. Features abridgements of landmark writings by some of the world's great thinkers, including Copernicus, Newton, and Kepler The world-renowned physicist presents a revolutionary look at the momentous discoveries that changed the perception of the world with this first-ever compilation of seven classic works on physics and astronomy. Features landmark writings by some of the world's great thinkers, including Copernicus, Newton, and Kepler. Illustrations On the revolution of heavenly spheres [excerpt] -- Nicolaus Copernicus Dialogues concerning two new sciences [excerpt] -- Galileo Galilei Harmonies of the world. Book five [excerpt] -- Johannes Kepler Principia [excerpt] -- Isaac Newton -- Selections from The principle of relativity -- Albert Einstein. Now with colour photos and illustrations, this accessible edition is a revolutionary look at the scientific discoveries that changed our perception of the world. Based on seven classic works of physics and astronomy, the book traces the evolution of modern science. Nicolaus Copernicus, a sixteenth-century Polish priest and mathematician, is often referred to as the founder of modern astronomy.