5 comments about Angles of Reflection: A Memoir of Logic and a Mother's Love.

1. I want it for my mom she is and angle and she should be in this book!!!



2. I have read this book twice, and recommended it to several friends, and find it a most complex and multi-faceted tale. On the one hand a poignant account of a sick child,and an examination of the difficult decisions everyone has to make under uncertainty, it is much more than that as it weaves Newton, Leibniz and Augustus de Morgan and the choices they made into the story. It was in many ways a brave decision of Joan Richards to write and publish this book, and those who read it can judge for themselves her success--I found it riveting, and even better on the second reading.



3. I found this book to be very well written, and at the beginning I had high hopes that I would like it very much. However, I found that as the book went on, I was less and less sure what point the author was trying to make and just what the focus of the book was supposed to be. What the author's son Ned went through with two unrelated and severe medical problems was compelling to read about, but not really enough to carry the book. The math history parts of the book often seemed quite unrelated to the main tale. Perhaps the book was a way to expose the many uncaring or distant medical professionals the author encountered, but this was not tied together into a real message. Or perhaps the author was telling her story to justify her decision not to return to the States with her son once he ran into medical troubles in Germany---which in my eyes didn't really need justifying---I would not see Germany as having less competant medical care than the US. In any case, I found the ending a bit unfinished---I didn't really see how all of a sudden Ned's elbow was fixed, and we were not told much about the final outcome of his seizures or his brain surgery, although the book was published at least 3 years after these problems started. I feel there could have been a much better book here with more focus and more of a unified point. However, I did finish the book and am still thinking about it--a sign of something worth reading.



4. I just spent the past Saturday afternoon reading _Angles of Reflection_ by Joan L. Richards and was quite moved by it. For anyone who has had to grapple with balancing work and family -- including in academics where one's schedule is flexible but at times consuming and unpredictable -- this book is a must read along with other similar volumes, such as _Divided Lives_ and _True North_. Richards's depictions of "mother's time" and "professional time", as well as the conflict between the two, could very well have been a chapter in Alan Lightman's _Einstein's Dreams_. German culture is not a very hospitable environment for working mothers, but Richards navigates skillfully through maternal care, professional meetings, and daily annoyances like sharply abbreviated hours for grocery shopping. Her depiction of the German medical system, a form of socialized medicine, might be looked upon as idiosyncratic and Byzantine by all except those of us who have to deal with American HMO's on a regular basis. Past and present, as well as life and art, overlap in this deliciously engrossing volume: as she cares for her son, Richards works through the intricacies of her biographies of Augustus and Sophia De Morgan and finds in their child, Alice, a parallel story of parental concern. Richards's story reminded me of a statement attributed to Jackie Kennedy Onassis: when asked about raising her children, she is supposed to have said, "If I fail at this, nothing else matters." Above all else, Richards's love and care for her two boys shine through this volume, even on pages dense with Newton, the De Morgans, and probability theory. This book, written in the tradition of Jill Ker Conway, is required reading for anyone, but especially for those curious about how the thinking lives of academics intersects with the practical and emotional lives of the everyday world. Highly recommended.



5. I read "Angles of Reflection" for a graduate course on untraditional history at Brown University, and as Joan Richards is our graduate advisor, she came to a class to discuss the book with us. The thing that struck me the most was that she said, "I just HAD to write this book". After you read it, you realize this book is a healing process, a way to come to grips with the whirlwind of drama that faced the Richards family as Ned's two medical mishaps came to light, and Richards' struggles as an academic and as a devoted mother. This book identifies the hardships academics face when the responsibilities of work and the devotion of family clash head on. I too highly suggest this book for those seeking careers in the academic field, but it is also a superb read for all. By the way, Ned is doing great, we too wondered about this :)

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2 comments about The Discovery of Anti-Matter: The Autobiography of Carl David Anderson, the Youngest Man to Win the Nobel Prize (Series in Popular Science , Vol 2).

1. I am the daughter-in-law of Carl Anderson. Per my request, Carl wrote his memoirs for our children. He wrote it in a way that everyone of all ages will be able to understand the meaning of physics. It is a personal story of his life from childhood to his discovery and beyond. The book is inspiring to young and old alike. It is a story of determination and perservance in a era when young scientists had to develop and create experiments using very primitive means. This book allows the reader to better understand the world and mind of a famous scientist.



2. I'm a bit biased because my grandfather was Carl Anderson's first cousin and never knew about him. I was pleased to find this book and learn more about one of my more famous relatives.
   
   For what would be called a geek today, Carl Anderson's life was quite interesting. The discussion of physics is minimal so the title shouldn't scare the casual reader away. But this is a simple autobiography of a man who just happened to be a great scientist. He faced all the basic problems we all face. For example, what do you do when you get the telegram that you've won the Nobel Prize but you don't have enough cash to get to Stockholm to pick it up?
   
   It's a fast and enjoyable read. I'm sure my 85 year old mother will enjoy it as much as I did. Then it's into the hands of my high school junior son who wants to be a physicist. It's a good peek into what a physicist actually does.

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1 comments about James Nasmyth, Engineer: An Autobiography.

1. Nasmyth was a titan of 19th century British engineering, and his autobiography is outstanding. Any study of the great engineers of history would be remiss without this book.
   
   However, this particular edition is not the one to buy. Although the text is complete (as far as I can tell), this book is missing all the drawings and figures present in the original text. If you're considering this book, don't buy this edition. Find yourself a copy of the original, complete work.

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5 comments about Leonardo Da Vinci: 1452-1519, Spanish Edition.

1. Some painting and drawing works are reproduced too dark with murky spots, where most details are indistinguishable. Additionally, the colors are distorted by a brownish (sepia) hue. So, on many dark works only basic elements are visible, e.g.: The Virgin of the Rocks on p. 28 and 31, Portrait of a Young Man on p. 48, The Last Supper on p. 53 as well as Burlington House Cartoon (too dark cartoon) on p. 60. Other works may also be affected. The Last Supper is divided between two pages connecting thru Christ's face, and a whole center of the fresco is sunk in a groove between the pages. The printing is good, and on good paper.



2. La serie Basic Art de la Editorial Taschen funciona como introduccion al tema, es una peque?a guia muy ilustrada y condensada para todos aquellos que viven sin tiempo para leer un trabajo mas profundo o solo desea comensar a entender sobre la vida y obra de su pintor favorito, asi que el libro es peque?o pero vale la pena darle una ojeada.

   En esta edicion en ESPA?OL sobre la vida y obra de Leonardo Da Vinci (el personaje m?s fascinante del Renacimiento)la cual esta en el formato de pasta dura(hardcover) nos ense?a las primeras obras del gran maestro del Renacimiento, una cronologia de su vida y muchas ilustraciones de sus pinturas mas conocidas como tambien las que no son parte de un tour y estan en colecciones privadas, es una obra bellisima no es la obra definitiva ya que hay trabajos mucho mas completo sobre su vida e influencia pero si es un buen comienso para entender al famoso y controversial Da Vinci. 96 paginas totalmente ilustrada a color con muchos detalles de pintura y bosetos del pintor asi como sus dotes en otras ramas como la musica la escultura y las ciencias pero esta obra es dedicada por completo a su pintura.Muy recomendado.




3. My coffe table looks good with this on it and people do pick it up when they come over. There are alot of good works of Da Vinci in here though not all of his art is covered. I do like the fact that some of the paintings are broken down, showing the undersketches and practice drawings. I have tried my hand at replicating a few of the drawings and am overwelmed at the quality of the paintings done centuries ago. The skin is luminouse!Hey, come on, it's cheap & fun. Buy it!



4. After a recent trip to Italy I scoured the museums there for some good books on the famous paintings I had just seen. All were much too expensive, given the value of the Euro versus the dollar. So I made a list of the books I liked and vowed to purchase them on Amazon when I returned home. This was one of those purchases.
   
   The book is big (over a foot long, three thumbs thick) and heavy. You won't be taking this to the park to read. Great for a coffee table. There are a good mix of close-ups and detailed shots of Da Vinci's work. The text includes some good history of the works (why they were commissioned, some info about the subjects, etc.). It also showcases some of Leonardo's student's work, which they more or less copied from their teacher.
   
   The book does include some detail about the work themselves and how the time in history impacted the works. My only regret (and why I didn't give it five stars) is that the book doesn't include more text about the details of the works themselves, ala "Da Vinci Code". For example, I'd love more explanation of the symmetry between certain figures or other curious features of Leonardo's work (why is that angelic figure holding its hand like a knife where John the Baptist's head should be in "Madonna of the Rocks"?)
   
   Overall, worth the money for those that enjoy contemplating the works of this Master.



5. I'm going to buy shares in Taschen, I think...
   
   I was pretty darn happy from the moment I pulled this book out of its slipcase. So many well-reproduced illustrations of Leonardo's paintings and drawings and really interesting text too. It's one of my favourite art books in my collection.

No comments about Charles Darwin - Pioneering Naturalist (Biography).

2 comments about CATHOLIC CHURCHMEN IN SCIENCE: Sketches of the Lives of Catholic Ecclesiastics Who Were Among the Great Founders in Science.

1. This is a great companion piece book to "How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization" by Thomas E. Woods. "Catholic Churchmen in Science" does cover Mendel and Genetics which was somehow overlooked in the aforementioned "Civilization". I am glad books like this are being written because the Catholic Church's rich heritage and contributions to mankind as a whole go beyond the celebration of Mass and the construction of beautiful church buildings (although those are very important to)! I am a scientist and Catholic and see no conflict between responsible science and my faith. In fact I find that faith enhances my awe and interest in the biological sciences.
   I wish these books could be read in our educational establishments in the U.S. as I am surprised at how many Catholics here no nothing about the the incredible legacy and contributions of the Catholic Church to areas such as science, agriculture, literature, architecture, international law etc.
   It seems that the Catholic history taught in schools from books written by Protestants and atheists only teaches about how the church was corrupt (always a different time frame depending on which non-Catholic group you talk to) and how they were selling indulgences (some clergy were abusing indulgences by making exaggerated claims not selling them per se) and the faith was only for the rich.
   The sad truth is that the 16th century rallying cry of Luther and company (that did not remain in agreement for very long) was Sola Scriptura!, the Bible Alone!
   In view of this new man made mindset where it was only what was in the (Catholic Church assembled) Bible that mattered many hospitals and institutions of higher learning were destroyed and vandalized in the Sola Scriptura frenzy in places like England and Switzerland. Science for a lot of these new Puritans (Calvinists, Amish, Pilgrims to name a few) was definitely not seen as being of God. So it is amusing now to hear Protestant leaders claim how the sciences were freed due to the Reformation and this book provides an intellectual and factual rebuff of that skewed history.
   Very informative book that makes me feel honored to be Katholikos.



2. James Walsh's book titled CATHOLIC CHURCHMEN IN SCIENCE is an informative account that undermines the false notion that Catholic authorities were adverse to scientific investagation and achievement. Walsh's book was originally published in 1906 and republished by Cosimo Publishers in 2007. This is an informative book that not only gives good accounts of Catholic Churchmen and their accomplishments but also the historical background of each man including the scientific thinking contemporary to each Chruchmen's life.
   
   Walsh makes a good point in his opening chapter that opposition to scientific advances came not from the Catholic authorities but from secular rivals. For example, Walsh was clear that opposition to Versalius'(1514-1564)did not come from the Catholic Church but from secular colleague's who relied too much on the Ancient Roman physician, Galen (c. 130-c. 200 AD). Harvey's (1578-1657)work re blood circulation and the fact that the heart was a muscle was opposed from secular rivals for the same reason. Neither man was condemened by Catholic authorities.
   
   Walsh began this study with an examination of Copernicus' (1472-1543)work which argued for the helocentric theory of the solar system. This theory states that the earth and planets orbit around the sun which was opposed by the geocentric theory which in turn states that the sun and planets orbit around the earth. None of the Catholic authorities nor any of the Popes contemporary to Copernicus condemned Conpernicus work. Father Copernicus was only asked to make minor (very minor) changes such as stating some of his work as logical hypotheses rather than definate conclusions. Copernicus himself admitted that he could make his concepts as final proof and even admitted that his work was based on hypotheses which the Catholic authorities said made logical sense. Had Copernicus and his contemporaries had more telescopes, both would have agreed that his conclusions were based on solid proof rather than well reasoned hypotheses. Copernicus was always in the good graces of the Catholic Church and was never condemned in spite of false accounts to the contrary. Walsh was very clear about this fact.
   
   Father Basil Valentine (c. 1370-.1440)is next in Walsh's book. Walsh gave a good, detailed account of Father Valentine's work with metals and metallurgy. Father Valentine undermined the work of the alchemists and focused on how different metals react to mixture and heat. Father Valentine is credited with work on antimony and its reaction to other metals. Father Valentine's work was popular among Catholic cirles and was republished several times and in different languages in Catholic realms. This is astounding when considers that Father Valentine lived BEFORE the invention of the printing press. Father Valentine was severe in his condemnation of quacks and charlatins who dabbled in chemistry at the expense, and at times the expense of the lives, of the uneducated and ignorant who fell prey to false claims of miracle cures and "snake oil" medicine. Walsh also did a good job of discrediting the false impression that Pope John XXII (1316-1334)issued a papal condemnation of the study of chemistry. Pope John XXII himself studied chemistry. The actual truth of Pope John XXII's condemnation was that it was against quacks and charlatans whom Father Valentine condemned and who are condemned today.
   
   The next section of the book dealt with Father Linus Linacre (1460-1524)who advanced the study of medicine. Father Linacre was one of the first if not the first to prove that there are saliva glands and ducts in animals and people which in turn explained other physiological phenomena. Father Linacre was one of the first to suggest that people could survive a plague better if they had proper ventalation and exercise. Father Linacre was in full agreement with Pope John XXII and Father Valentine in condemnation of quacks and unqualified medical practioners who could cause so much harm.
   
   The chapter on Athanasius Kircher, S.J. (1602-1680)is interesting to those who appreciate the advances of modern medicine. Walsh gave Father Kircher credit for advancing the study of microbes and their affects on
   people. Father Kircher was clear that some micorbes contributed to disease, and he was one of the first to get a grasp of the causes and possible cures of the plague. Father Kircher's studies included studies on Ancient Egypt and accurately predicted the deciphering of the Rosetta Stone. Walsh cites his work in the study of chemical changes involving metal.
   
   Walsh's chapter on Father Nicholaus Stenosis (1622-1670)is yet another interesting chapter. Father Stenosis was born and raised Lutheran, but after visits to Rome and conversations with nuns and priests, converted to Catholicism and eventually became a bishop. Father Stenosis, also nicknamed Steno probably by his Italian friends, pioneered geological studies. Father Stenosis wrote about geological layers and gave intelligent explanations of fossils in rocks and surfaces. He helped explain the effects of erosion, volcanic action, etc. on geological strata. His work was well received by Catholic authorities, and those who are members of geological associaions have added memorials to his tomb. One should note that while Father Stenosis was frail and did not live long, he was a courageous man. He helped defend his native Copenhagan when attacked by the Swedes. Father Steonsis' last years were bitter sweet. He was forced to leave Copenhagen because of his Catholic Faith, but he always loved Rome and Italy.
   
   The following chapter is just as interesting. Walsh gave a thorough treatment of Father Abbe Just Hauy (1743-1822). Father Huay did thorough studies in the study of crystals and showed that angles, shapes, etc. of crystals were a natural occurance due to geological pressues and changes. Father Hauy also alerted men that studies of crystals helped with studies of magnatism and lightening and static electricity. In fact Father Huay warned of using kites to study lightening before Benjamin Frnklin did. Walsh showed Father Huay as such a kind, considerate man, the he (Fahter Huay)was not initially persecuted during the French Reigh of Terror when many Catholic priests and nuns were martyred. Yet, Father Huay was fortunate because shortly after his release after a short time in jail, the other priests arrested with him were put to death.
   
   Walsh concluded this book with Father Gregor Mendel (1822-1884). Walsh gave the non-expert a clear understanding of the importance of Father Mendel's work in genetics. Walsh also explained the Father Mendel's work was not very well known at first because of the attention Charles Darwin's (1809-1882) work received. Yet, Walsh also states that had Darwin read Mendel's work, Darwin would have radically altered his concept of "Survival of the Fittest." Those who agreed with Darwin argued that physical environment was the reason for changes in species while Father Mendel clearly proved that genetic changes and not physical environment were the reason. Father Mendel's work was vindicated in the late 19th and early 20th. centuries by Weismann (1835-1914)and De Vries (1848-1935). Both of these eminent geneticists gave Father Mendel full credit. Lest anyone think that Father Mendel was an ivory tower professor, he was the abbot of his order which involved so much of his time. Walsh showed that Mendel's work was well received by Popes and other Catholic authorities.
   
   This reviewer's only criticim of the book is that the book could have been longer and more comprehensive. Yet, even the non-epxert can understand the scientic principals and concepts. One character trait that the these priests and scientists had was their kindness and lack of any snobbishness. These men were as willing to help the dullest student. They took their vows of the Religious Life serious and did their duties as priests as well anyone could. Any reader, Catholic or not, can appreciate this book and have a better understanding of science.

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