Kepler's Witch - An Astronomer's Discovery of Cosmic Order Amid Religious War Political Intrigue and the Heresy Trial of His Mother

James A. Connor

Summary

Set against the backdrop of the witchcraft trial of his mother, this lively biography of Johannes Kepler – 'the Protestant Galileo' and 16th century mathematician and astronomer – reveals the surprisingly spiritual nature of the quest of early modern science. In the style of Dava Sobel's Galileo's Daughter, Connor's book brings to life the tidal forces of Reformation, Counter–Reformation, and social upheaval. Johannes Kepler, who discovered the three basic laws of planetary motion, was persecuted for his support of the Copernican system. After a neighbour accused his mother of witchcraft, Kepler quit his post as the Imperial mathematician to defend her. James Connor tells Kepler's story as a pilgrimage, a spiritual journey into the modern world through war and disease and terrible injustice, a journey reflected in the evolution of Kepler's geometrical model of the cosmos into a musical model, harmony into greater harmony. The leitmotif of the witch trial adds a third dimension to Kepler's biography by setting his personal life within his own times. The acts of this trial, including Kepler's letters and the accounts of the witnesses, although published in their original German dialects, had never before been translated into English. Echoing some of Dava Sobel's work for Galileo's Daughter, Connor has translated the witch trial documents into English. With a great respect for the history of these times and the life of this man, Connor's accessible story illuminates the life of Kepler, the man of science, but also Kepler, a man of uncommon faith and vision.

Available since: 10/13/2009.

Print length: 428 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Stories About Storytellers -...

Douglas Gibson

The legendary Canadian book editor presents this “remarkable, four-decade romp through the back rooms of publishing” (Toronto Sun).   Scottish-born Douglas Gibson was drawn to Canada by the writing of Stephen Leacock—and eventually made his way across the Atlantic to find a job in book publishing, where he edited a biography of none other than Leacock. But over the decades, his stellar career would lead him to work with many more of the country’s leading literary lights. This memoir shares stories of working—and playing—alongside writers including Robertson Davies, Mavis Gallant, Brian Mulroney, Val Ross, W. O. Mitchell, and many more. Gibson reveals the projects he brainstormed for Barry Broadfoot; how he convinced future Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro to keep writing short stories; his early-morning phone call from a former prime minister; and his recollection of yanking a manuscript right out of Alistair MacLeod’s reluctant hands—which ultimately garnered the author one of the world’s most prestigious prizes for fiction.   Insightful and entertaining, this collection of tales goes behind the scenes and between the covers to divulge a treasure trove of literary adventures.   “He makes his life in publishing sound like great fun.” —The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Show book

Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights...

Sophie Dahl

“Sophie has a great style of cooking and recipes you really want to eat.” —Jamie Oliver, New York Times bestselling author of Five Ingredients: Mediterranean 
 
Food is meant to be enjoyed, and Sophie Dahl would have it no other way. Growing up in a family of true food lovers, she began cooking at a young age and never looked back. Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights presents nearly one hundred of her tried-and-true recipes, organized around the four seasons and using the freshest ingredients available. Accented with her stories about how she came to know these foods and why she loves them, Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights provides a complete picture of what a meal should provide. From lemon-scented summer stews, to crisply burnished pies, to salads and soups for breezy lunches, to decadent desserts, Sophie Dahl cooks food that is indulgent, delicious, and wholesome.

Show book

Washington Journal - Reporting...

Elizabeth Drew

An updated edition of the landmark work of political journalism:“Unquestionably the best book yet on Watergate, and conceivably the best we will ever get.” —Greil Marcus, Rolling Stone 
 
Washington Journal opens in 1973 and follows the deterioration of Richard Nixon’s presidency in real time. With her unprecedented access to the top figures, Elizabeth Drew’s on-the-scene reporting is even more remarkable in hindsight, as Washington Journal captures the feeling of the period and reports conversations with the key decision-makers as they made up their minds about the most fateful vote they would cast. It also shows us the sense of fear among both close observers and the citizenry, as well as their nervous laughter at the era’s absurdities.  
 
Drew understands Richard Nixon as well as this most complex figure can be understood, and she shows how he brought himself down. This edition includes a new afterword revealing the fascinating—and frequently hilarious—story of Nixon’s efforts to regain respectability after he’d been forced from office, and also offers original insights into the meaning of Watergate and 
 
Nixon. Rich with new information unavailable at the time, the afterword is a major addition to a unique and enduring work of reportage. 
 
“Tells the story not as a tidy tale with a clear beginning and inevitable end, but as an experience thick with confusion, rumors, alarm, and half-truths . . . Helpful for trying to understand what it is like to live through a period of great confusion and potentially great import.” —Ezra Klein 
 
“An amazing book that more than stands the test of time.” —Jon Meacham, Pulitzer Prize winner and #1 New York Times-bestselling author of And There Was Light 
 
“To understand how the melodrama played out in real time in the capital, there may be no better guide than Washington Journal.” —Frank Rich, New York Magazine

Show book

The Zanzibar Chest - A Story of...

Aidan Hartley

An examination of colonialism and its consequences. “A sweeping, poetic homage to Africa, a continent made vivid by Hartley’s capable, stunning prose” (Publishers Weekly).   In his final days, Aidan Hartley’s father said to him, “We should have never come here.” Those words spoke of a colonial legacy that stretched back through four generations of one British family. From a great-great-grandfather who defended British settlements in nineteenth-century New Zealand, to his father, a colonial officer sent to Africa in the 1920s and who later returned to raise a family there—these were intrepid men who traveled to exotic lands to conquer, build, and bear witness. And there was Aidan, who became a journalist covering Africa in the 1990s, a decade marked by terror and genocide.   After encountering the violence in Somalia, Uganda, and Rwanda, Aidan retreated to his family’s house in Kenya where he discovered the Zanzibar chest his father left him. Intricately hand-carved, the chest contained the diaries of his father’s best friend, Peter Davey, an Englishman who had died under obscure circumstances five decades before. With the papers as his guide, Hartley embarked on a journey not only to unlock the secrets of Davey’s life, but his own.   “The finest account of a war correspondent’s psychic wracking since Michael Herr’s Dispatches.” —Rian Malan, author of My Traitor’s Heart

Show book

Chasing Shadows: The High-Stakes...

Landon Hawthorne

Chasing Shadows: The High-Stakes Pursuit of the Silk Road Fugitive
⭐⭐ Simplified Insights & Narratives Included ⭐⭐
Are you eager to advance in your understanding of thrilling chases, unravel hidden truths, and dive into relentless adventures?
Searching for a comprehensive guide that encompasses all the thrilling elements that lead up to uncovering the truths in this daring pursuit?
Your search ends here!
This audiobook serves as your ultimate companion to deepen your immersion, apply your excitement, and engage in this riveting chase. With this, you're all set for an adventurous ride.
Updated to reflect the latest insights and narratives from this incredible chase.
Key features of this enriched audiobook:
- Profound insights into the high-stakes pursuit of the Silk Road fugitive
- Detailed exploration of the thrilling chase unveiling hidden truths
- Effective strategies for understanding the twists and turns of this relentless adventure
Our audiobook stands out with its comprehensive coverage, which is essential for grasping the intricacies of the story. Concepts are explored with precise detail and depth.
Designed with a clear structure and straightforward language, "Chasing Shadows" ensures smooth transitions between tales of adventure. Say goodbye to complex narratives and embrace clear, engaging, and thoroughly captivating content.
So, why wait? Click the BUY NOW button, secure your audiobook, and embark on your journey to uncover the hidden truths of this epic pursuit!

Show book

Sell Smart: Secrets toThrive in...

Quinlan Brackenridge

Sell Smart: Secrets to Thrive in Sales and Beyond 
Are you eager to advance in your career and enhance your understanding to unlock your potential and excel in every interaction? 
Looking for a comprehensive resource that encompasses all you need to unlock your potential and excel in every interaction? 
Your search concludes here! 
This guide is your ultimate partner in deepening your knowledge, honing your skills, and engaging in practical exercises. With this, you're prepared for success. 
Updated for the latest strategies and insights. 
Key features of this enriched guide: 
- Profound insights about unlocking your potential and excelling in every interaction 
- Detailed explanation of effective sales techniques 
- Fruitful strategies for preparation and engagement 
Our guide sets itself apart with thorough coverage, crucial for your success. Concepts are not merely touched upon; they are explored in depth with precision. 
Please note that this guide is not affiliated with any official entities and is purely an independent resource for your benefit. 
Designed with a clear structure and easy-to-understand language, our guide ensures smooth transitions between topics. Say goodbye to dense jargon and welcome clear, concise, and technically accurate content. 
So, why wait? Click the BUY NOW button, secure your guide, and begin your journey to unleashing your potential and thriving in every interaction!

Show book