Niccolò Guicciardini

Although the book starts out quite okay and ends with a reasonably interesting chapter, the middle chapters are either too long or too short, constantly switch from narrative to semi-mathematical and back, and are often confusing. The author seems to have difficulties finding a balance between a mathematical and a general treatment of Newton's findings. He tries to avoid formulas as good as possible, but this makes the text often incomprehensible and fuzzy.

The author should have made a choice between either writing a thorough physical and mathematical analysis of Newton's work, or a more general and entertaining text about his interesting life and personality. Now he just gets stuck in between.… (mehr)