- Hardcover: 318 pages
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH); 1st Edition edition (4 Jun 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0151012784
- ISBN-13: 978-0151012787
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.6 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,001,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Newton and the Counterfeiter
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Review
`[A] pacy and absorbing history thriller ... Levenson's book is a gripping tale of unrelenting revenge and obsession.' --John Cornwell, Financial Times
'Levenson expands the story with the brio of a born narrator ... lucid and exciting [the book has] a satisfying unity.' --Andro Linklater, Spectator
'Levenson tells the story with clear, journalistic style.' --Colm Keena, Irish Times
'A thoroughly researched book ... [it] weaves together a history of money and a biography in a readable romp.' -- Heather Stewart, Observer
'[Levenson] tells the story ... with considerable panache ... there is real dramatic tension in the final game of cat-and-mouse.' -- Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
'Levenson expands the story with the brio of a born narrator ... lucid and exciting [the book has] a satisfying unity.' --Andro Linklater, Spectator
'Levenson tells the story with clear, journalistic style.' --Colm Keena, Irish Times
'A thoroughly researched book ... [it] weaves together a history of money and a biography in a readable romp.' -- Heather Stewart, Observer
'[Levenson] tells the story ... with considerable panache ... there is real dramatic tension in the final game of cat-and-mouse.' -- Noel Malcolm, Sunday Telegraph --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.
Book Description
The untold story of the great physics genius, obsession and revenge.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Newton and the Counterfeiter, Thomas Levenson. A fascinating look at a neglected period of Newton's life
26 Sep 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
When someone mentions Sir Isaac Newton, you immediately think of the father of science, the three laws of motion, apples and gravity, modern mathematics, the principle of optics, chemistry, theology etc, etc, etc. But what did he do after he had revolutionised modern thinking? It turns out he became the Warden of the Mint, responsible for guaranteeing the value of the currency, and for catching counterfeiters.
This part of his life is often neglected, when discussing Newton people tend to concentrate on his intellectual achievements, and his famous arguments with Hooke and Leibnitz. But the job of Warden of the Mint required no less intellect than his scientific studies, with the systems he set up to prevent counterfeiting, and his painstaking investigations that would send counterfeiters to the gallows.
This book details his entanglements with William Chaloner, the greatest counterfeiter of his day, a man of great powers who managed to evade capture for years, along the way even managed to cast doubt on Newton's powers and probity, and even tried to get himself inserted into the Mint!
This book reads a bit like a good thriller. There is a brief description of Newton's early life, leading up to his reasons for taking the job at the Mint. A description of the known facts of Chaloner's early life is given, then there follows the details of the battle between the two, as Newton struggled to bring his quarry to justice. Along the way we also learn much about the foundations of modern finance and banks, which were methods to solve economic problems that bear a strange resemblance to those faced in the current economic crisis! It's gripping stuff, and even better, it's all true. The book has been excellently researched, the author has drawn from a wide range of reliable documentary evidence to build his tale. It's not a dry biography however, it's written in a very accessible style.
I would highly recommend this book, it will appeal to all fans of good crime thrillers, or anyone interested in Newton and would like to know a bit more about the man himself. 5 Stars with no hesitation.
This part of his life is often neglected, when discussing Newton people tend to concentrate on his intellectual achievements, and his famous arguments with Hooke and Leibnitz. But the job of Warden of the Mint required no less intellect than his scientific studies, with the systems he set up to prevent counterfeiting, and his painstaking investigations that would send counterfeiters to the gallows.
This book details his entanglements with William Chaloner, the greatest counterfeiter of his day, a man of great powers who managed to evade capture for years, along the way even managed to cast doubt on Newton's powers and probity, and even tried to get himself inserted into the Mint!
This book reads a bit like a good thriller. There is a brief description of Newton's early life, leading up to his reasons for taking the job at the Mint. A description of the known facts of Chaloner's early life is given, then there follows the details of the battle between the two, as Newton struggled to bring his quarry to justice. Along the way we also learn much about the foundations of modern finance and banks, which were methods to solve economic problems that bear a strange resemblance to those faced in the current economic crisis! It's gripping stuff, and even better, it's all true. The book has been excellently researched, the author has drawn from a wide range of reliable documentary evidence to build his tale. It's not a dry biography however, it's written in a very accessible style.
I would highly recommend this book, it will appeal to all fans of good crime thrillers, or anyone interested in Newton and would like to know a bit more about the man himself. 5 Stars with no hesitation.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a very enjoyable book. It is very well-written by an intelligent, deeply knowledgeable author who knows how to tell a good story, and it brings the historical events and characters fascinatingly to life.
The first section of the book (nearly half of it) is a terrific potted biography of Isaac Newton, with a really good, comprehensible account of his character, intellectual development and achievements. I am a physicist by training, I have also studied History of Science and have read a great deal about Newton, some of which has been very good and some very bad. This is one of the best short accounts I have ever read - incisive and compellingly readable, it gives a really good insight into the man, the way he worked and what motivated him. On the second page, by the way, Levinson writes, "psychoanalysis at a distance of centuries is a fool's game." I was pretty sure I was in safe hands after reading that, and I was right.
All this is essential for understanding Newton's time at the Mint and his approach to the pursuit of counterfeiters. This story is also brilliantly told, with a fascinating, wonderfully accessible account of the economic problems of the time, how the coinage contributed to them and the birth of money as we know it (or think we know it) today. This is wrapped up in an enthralling narrative of, effectively, a detective pursuing a criminal and the cat-and-mouse tactics each employed.
I often find that biography or history struggles to hold my interest and attention for hundreds of pages. This did - it was scholarly, fascinating and thoroughly engaging. I found it had the effect of a really good novel, leaving me very keen to get back and read some more, and I recommend it in the strongest terms.
The first section of the book (nearly half of it) is a terrific potted biography of Isaac Newton, with a really good, comprehensible account of his character, intellectual development and achievements. I am a physicist by training, I have also studied History of Science and have read a great deal about Newton, some of which has been very good and some very bad. This is one of the best short accounts I have ever read - incisive and compellingly readable, it gives a really good insight into the man, the way he worked and what motivated him. On the second page, by the way, Levinson writes, "psychoanalysis at a distance of centuries is a fool's game." I was pretty sure I was in safe hands after reading that, and I was right.
All this is essential for understanding Newton's time at the Mint and his approach to the pursuit of counterfeiters. This story is also brilliantly told, with a fascinating, wonderfully accessible account of the economic problems of the time, how the coinage contributed to them and the birth of money as we know it (or think we know it) today. This is wrapped up in an enthralling narrative of, effectively, a detective pursuing a criminal and the cat-and-mouse tactics each employed.
I often find that biography or history struggles to hold my interest and attention for hundreds of pages. This did - it was scholarly, fascinating and thoroughly engaging. I found it had the effect of a really good novel, leaving me very keen to get back and read some more, and I recommend it in the strongest terms.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Highlighting a lesser known episode from Isaac Newton's life this book was bound to be special anyway. Just reading about Newton's overhaul of the British financial is interesting enough. He himself probably thought of catching counterfeiters in the process as an annoying distraction, but this too required some very clever thinking.
Thomas Levenson, who has clearly done some thorough research on London society and politics at the end of the 17th century, chooses to revolve his story around one particular confrontation, Newton versus William Chaloner, a counterfeiter so cunning and daring he even accused Newton of incompetence. Which was not a very smart thing to do, given het effect it had on Newton's determination to bring him to the gallows.
Mr. Levenson deserves credit not only for his meticulous research, but also for the way he presents it. Mixing a matter-of-fact style with literary techniques, he succeeds in sketching a lively picture of both men and their respective businesses. Almost a novel.
Thomas Levenson, who has clearly done some thorough research on London society and politics at the end of the 17th century, chooses to revolve his story around one particular confrontation, Newton versus William Chaloner, a counterfeiter so cunning and daring he even accused Newton of incompetence. Which was not a very smart thing to do, given het effect it had on Newton's determination to bring him to the gallows.
Mr. Levenson deserves credit not only for his meticulous research, but also for the way he presents it. Mixing a matter-of-fact style with literary techniques, he succeeds in sketching a lively picture of both men and their respective businesses. Almost a novel.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A very slight tale, though interesting about the times.
Late in life, Sir Isaac Newton, left Cambridge and took a job as head of the Mint in London. Part of his job was to combat counterfeiters, and the story of Newton tracking one... Read more
Published 27 days ago by Hugh Claffey
3 in 1
Three for the price of one. A lively description of the late 17th century, a lot on Newton's life in general, and an interesting story on Newton's exploits at the Mint & his... Read more
Published 6 months ago by M. Baerends
Disappointing
After reading the reviews for this book I thought I was in for a treat. However, I was disappointed when I finished the book. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Prof.Del
Famous mathematician catches accomplished counterfeiter
This story has two main characters, one (the counterfeiter) more likeable than the other (Newton). The counterfeiter was a lad from the sticks on the make in London. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Lord Byron
Enjoyable and educational
For a scientific ignoramus like myself, the real interest of this book was in the description of Newton's scientific discoveries. Read more
Published 15 months ago by FictionFan
Good book, slow delivery
Excellent book, informative and very interesting - glad that I purchased it. Certainly has provided a side of Newton not often portrayed plus a quick insight of the lives of other... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. R. P. Morley
Newton and the Counterfeiter
Considering I knew very little about Sir Isaac Newton (a falling apple, apart) it was an interesting factual read. Read more
Published 17 months ago by H. Grieves
What you didn't know about Newton
Ok, so you might have vaguely heard that Newton became Warden of the Royal Mint... but Levenson's book does a remarkable job at explaining what this transition meant for Newton,... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Swindon Ian
Isaac Newton's other life!
This book is really excellent. It starts with a succinct and very readable summary of Isaac Newton's life and then moves to a detailed account of his life at the Royal Mint. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Anita Tovell
newton and the counterfeiter
Extraordinary amount of detail into research and the working of a mind 300+ years from us removed. Excellent for those with an exacting mind for mathematics, science and detective... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by Mrs. A. L. Habermacher
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