Galileo's Daughter - A Drama of Science, Faith and Love

Fourth Estate, 2000. Front endpage clipped.

From the international best-selling author of 'Longitude,' 'Galileo's Daughter' is the fascinating story of the relationship between the great Italian scientist Galileo and his daughter, Virginia. Galileo is brought to life here as never before - a man boldly compelled to explain the truths he discovered, human in his frailties and faith, devoted to family and, especially, to his daughter. Since there could be no hope of marriage for his illegitimate daughter Galileo placed her, aged thirteen, in a convent near him in Florence. She proved to be his greatest source of strength through his most difficult years. Through letters and contemporary writings, their voices are brought to vivid life and woven into Dava Sobel's compelling narrative. 'Galileo's Daughter' tells the story of the most dramatic collision in history between science and religion.