Galileo Galilei - When the World Stood Still (PDF)

The author was born in 1949. He studied language and literature at Oslo University and worked for some years as a teacher at various levels before becoming an independent writer of novels and non-fiction. Among his books is a novel about the Italian painter Caravaggio, translated into English under the title "Doubting Thomas" [in German as "Caravaggio's Flucht"]. His biography of Galileo won the Brage Award for best Norwegian non-fiction book in 2001. Næss' most recent work is a biography of the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch.

and well constructed, and one that provides the important larger context that surrounds the drama itself. This reviewer recommends it highly to anyone interested in a succinct and comprehensive look at the "saga" of Galileo.

MAA Online book review columne, Alexander J. Hahn, October 2005

The complete review can be found here:http://www.maa.org/reviews/naessgalileo.html

[...] Atle Naess knows how to write a readable book. He wastes no time on padding. He weaves the history, the personalities and the technicalities together expertly, with a sure eye for an interesting detail and an ability to cut through the myths, propaganda and speculation that surround the Galileo case. [...] The aim of the book is a short introduction to introduce the man and whet the appetite for his ideas. It is a resounding success.

by James Franklin, Univ of New South Wales, Sydney Gazette, The Australian Mathematical Society, Volume 32, Number 4, 2005,

"The mathematician and physicist Galileo Galilei is one of the most famous scientists of all time. The story of his life and times … is brought vividly to life in this book. Atle Næss has written a gripping account of one of the great figures in European history." (WWW. firstscience.com, September 12, 2005)

"Not too many biographies of great scientists are as felicitously written as this new one … . a delightful read but … is as historically accurate as one would hope. … very adequately referenced. … The translation into english is excellent. This book brought home to me the full extent … . Anyone with an interest in the life and times of Galileo will adore this new account … . It is beautifully printed, attractively bound … . Highly recommended." (Australian Physics, Vol. 42 (2), May/June, 2005)

"I found this book fascinating. Much of the argument … revolves around the famous trial of Galileo for heresy in 1633. … The background of the build up to the trial with all the