- Hardcover: 298 pages
- Publisher: Harvard University Press (21 Oct 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0674018923
- ISBN-13: 978-0674018921
- Product Dimensions: 23.9 x 15.7 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,561,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Review
A compelling portrait...[and a] trim and accessible biography of Laplace...Previous biographies...have focused on Laplace's scientific achievements. Hahn's admirable goal is to integrate his science with his personal and public life. To do so, Hahn has painstakingly assembled the manuscript sources that make possible such speculation from the outside.--Ken Alder"Times Higher Education Supplement" (04/07/2006)
Product Description
Often referred to as the Newton of France, Pierre Simon Laplace has been called the greatest scientist of the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. He affirmed the stability of the solar system and offered a powerful hypothesis about its origins. A skilful mathematician and popular philosopher, Laplace also did pioneering work on probability theory, in devising a method of inverse probabilities associated with his classic formulation of physical determinism in the universe. With Lavoisier and several younger disciples, he also made decisive advances in chemistry and mathematical physics. Roger Hahn, who has devoted years to researching Laplace's life, has compiled a rich archive of his scientific correspondence. In this compact biography, also based in part on unpublished private papers, Hahn follows Laplace's journey from would-be priest in the provinces to Parisian academician, populariser of science during the French Revolution, religious sceptic and supporter of Napoleon. By the end of his life, Laplace had become a well-rewarded dean of French science. In this first full-length biography, Hahn illuminates the man in his historical setting. Elegantly written, Pierre Simon Laplace reflects a lifetime of thinking and research by a distinguished historian of science on the fortunes of a singularly important figure in the annals of Enlightenment science.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Very informative & interesting bio of one of the most influential scientists during the Enlightenment & earlier 19th Century. Laplace made important contributions to mathematics & cosmology, not least as a grand synthesizer. But it was his political role that was truly unsurpassed. Convinced of philosopher Condorcet's vision of a scientific republic, he pursued this ideal in neutral & unpartisan manner, skilfully staying clear of the public accusations, imprisonment, & tragic death that had been Condorcet's fate.
Having then become the near-dictator of French science, Laplace guided or ordered research into avenues he favoured - yet often with good reason & a degree of support from the scientific community. Under his watch French science gained remarkable momentum & unity.
Several of the greatest scientists of our history were also active political influencers. "Pure" scientists such as Newton, Einstein or Bohr, as well as more resolutely political figures such as d'Alembert, Oppenheimer - or Laplace who, with this biography, may stand as the clearest & most successful exponent of the type.
Laplace's peculiar role as 'politician of science' is displayed throughout the book, as well as specifically addressed in Chapters 7 & 8.
Having then become the near-dictator of French science, Laplace guided or ordered research into avenues he favoured - yet often with good reason & a degree of support from the scientific community. Under his watch French science gained remarkable momentum & unity.
Several of the greatest scientists of our history were also active political influencers. "Pure" scientists such as Newton, Einstein or Bohr, as well as more resolutely political figures such as d'Alembert, Oppenheimer - or Laplace who, with this biography, may stand as the clearest & most successful exponent of the type.
Laplace's peculiar role as 'politician of science' is displayed throughout the book, as well as specifically addressed in Chapters 7 & 8.
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Biography > Historical > 1701-1900
- Books > Biography > Historical > Countries & Regions > France
- Books > Biography > Science, Mathematics & Technology > Engineering
- Books > Biography > Science, Mathematics & Technology > Science
- Books > History > Other Historical Subjects > History of Science
- Books > Science & Nature > Engineering & Technology > Engineering Physics
- Books > Science & Nature > History & Philosophy > History of Mathematics
- Books > Science & Nature > Mathematics > History of Mathematics
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
