Out of the Shadow of a Giant Audiobook By John Gribbin, Mary Gribbin cover art

Out of the Shadow of a Giant

Hooke, Halley and the Birth of Science

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Out of the Shadow of a Giant

By: John Gribbin, Mary Gribbin
Narrated by: John Curless
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What if Newton had never lived? A compelling dual biography argues that Robert Hooke and Edmond Halley easily could have filled the giant's shoes - and deserve credit for the birth of modern science.

Robert Hooke and Edmond Halley, whose place in history has been overshadowed by the giant figure of Newton, were pioneering scientists within their own right and instrumental in establishing the Royal Society. Although Newton is widely regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time and the father of the English Scientific Revolution, John and Mary Gribbin uncover the fascinating story of Robert Hooke and Edmond Halley, whose scientific achievements neatly embrace the hundred years or so during which science as we know it became established. They argue persuasively that, even without Newton, science would have made a great leap forward in the second half of the 17th century, headed by two extraordinary figures: Hooke and Halley.

©2017 John and Mary Gribbin (P)2017 Recorded Books History History & Philosophy Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology Biography Mathematics Royalty
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Makes the case that the main shoulder that Newton was standing on was Hook's, while giving some recognition to Haley as well. A bit of a slam on Newton in some respects, some points well known, others eye openings...

An 'Alternate Perspective' Book

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I was fascinated through the entire book. The authors did a superb job of researching the records from the Royal Society to definitively so that Newton was, in their words, a Serial plagiarist as well as being a liar. Newton claimed credit for ideas that Hooke and sometimes Halley developed. we can only hope that this book changes the portrayal of the Scientific Revolution and put Hooke and Halley at the top where they belong

Masterful research, brilliantly told

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I admit to being biased as I love this period of scientific history. I didn’t expect much although I have read several of Gribbin’s books. I just was not aware of how much Hooke and Halley had done and so did not expect a riveting read. It was a great surprise and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. The key (I believe) is that Hooke left us with several diaries and so the book is charged with much interesting detail. I will be re-reading it again in the near future. I highly recommend it if this era is of interest to you.

Wonderful sleeper of a book!

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I'd always heard that Hooke was a sour, envious sort of scientist; but it seems I was mistaken. Newton, it seems, was the "serial plagiarist." John and Mary Gribbin set me straight and gave me a lot more information on the man and his times. Halley got "short shrift" in my opinion, but that's because there's so much of Halley's life and character that are fascinating, I think he deserved a book of his own. However, the Gribbins' book was intended to take us from a time preceding Newton to a time following him, roughly 100 years or a little more, in which Newton's story has always dominated but was really only a part of the development of science at the time. His stronger suit, according to the Gribbins, was math; and his weakness was his personality. Hooke and Halley both seemed to be much more curious about the natural world and much better suited to bringing forth their discoveries which are recounted here with much of the original excitement.

Wonderful piece of history of science

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