Newton

Isaac Newton is now universally celebrated as a genius of science, renowned for his innovatory work on gravity and optics. Yet Newton did not always enjoy such legendary status. His posthumous reputation has constantly changed and is riddled with contradictions.

NEWTON investigates the different ways in which Newtons life and works have been interpreted at different times. It charts his transformation into a scientific genius, explaining the changing attitude of the scientific community towards Newtons ideas, from Berkeley to Einstein. It also explores the making of Newton the national hero, through the myths that surround him and the many artistic and literary descriptions of him.

NEWTON tells the fascinating story of Newtons reputation, shedding light on the growth of science generally and on our changing attitude towards our intellectual heritage.

Faras brilliant book is not so much a biography as the story of a phenomenon . . . fascinatingScotsman

Fara does not debunk Newton as recent novelists have but delivers him more whole and greater than everSunday Herald