Plot Summary

Galileo's Daughter

Dava Sobel
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Galileo's Daughter

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1999

Book Brief

Dava Sobel

Galileo's Daughter

Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 1999
Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Italy • 17th century

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

Lexile Level

1530L

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Super Short Summary

Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel chronicles the relationship between Renaissance scientist Galileo Galilei and his daughter Suor Maria Celeste through her surviving letters. The book juxtaposes Galileo's scientific endeavors, including his support for the heliocentric model, with Maria Celeste’s life in a convent, revealing their mutual love and the personal impacts of Galileo’s ongoing conflict with the Church.

Informative

Emotional

Inspirational

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

30,775 ratings

64%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Dava Sobel's Galileo's Daughter captivates readers with its engaging blend of scientific history and personal narrative. The book is praised for its thorough research and evocative portrayal of Galileo's relationship with his daughter. Some critics find the pace slow and the focus on personal letters too restrictive, but overall, it’s a compelling read for history and science enthusiasts.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Galileo's Daughter?

Readers who enjoy Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel are typically enthusiasts of historical biographies, science history, and intellectual revolutions. Fans of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks or Longitude would appreciate Sobel's compelling blend of personal letters and scientific exploration in this narrative.

4.0

30,775 ratings

64%

Loved it

26%

Mixed feelings

11%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

432

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

Italy • 17th century

Publication Year

1999

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16-18 years

Lexile Level

1530L

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