Strathern, Paul

Provides insight into the life, work, and thinking of Isaac Newton, known as the father of physics, and discusses his theory of gravity.

Author Strathern describes the modest origins of the famous Medici family, their rise to power in Florence during the Italian Renaissance, and the artists and scientists they helped to flourish. Also profiles the lives of Medici family members like Giovanni, the banker and patriarch of the family; Cosimo, the erudite politician and art patron; flamboyant Lorenzo and his clash with Savonarola; and the ladies of the Medici family, like Catherine, who became Queen of France.

Presents information on the life and work of seventeenth-century philosopher and mathematician Ren? Descartes, whose ideas were developed into the philosophy of reason which came to be known as Cartesianism; and includes a chronology and excerpts from his writings.

Provides information on the life and work of nineteenth-century Prussian philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, and includes a chronology and excerpts from his writings, illustrating his key philosophical concepts.

Provides information on the life and work of eighteenth-century German philosopher Immanuel Kant, and includes a chronology and excerpts from his writings in which he attempted to restore metaphysics.

Examines the intersecting lives of Leonardo da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli, and Cesare Borgia, describing how their brief time together in 1502 altered each man's beliefs and work and the course of Western history.

The dramatic history of chemistry is framed by the life story of the nineteenth-century Russian scientist who conceived the periodic table of the elements in a dream.

Provides information on the life and work of ancient Greek philosopher Plato, and includes a chronology and excerpts from his writings in which he developed his Theory of Ideas.

Presents a brief biographical profile of nineteenth-century Russia author, Leo Tolstoy that describes his life and works.

Provides information on the life and work of early twentieth-century Viennese philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, and includes a chronology and excerpts from his writings which show his devotion to logic in all things.