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Galileo Galilei

At the Threshold of the Scientific Age

  • Describes Galileo's work in the light of prevailing world views
  • Details Galileo's enduring influence on modern science
  • Explores the threshold between medieval and modern thinking

Part of the book series: Springer Biographies (SPRINGERBIOGS)

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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction

    • Wolfgang W. Osterhage
    Pages 1-6
  3. Time and Space (1564–1642)

    • Wolfgang W. Osterhage
    Pages 7-15
  4. Early Years (1564–1588)

    • Wolfgang W. Osterhage
    Pages 17-25
  5. Cosmological Excursions

    • Wolfgang W. Osterhage
    Pages 67-104
  6. Final Years (1633–1642)

    • Wolfgang W. Osterhage
    Pages 121-129
  7. Conclusions

    • Wolfgang W. Osterhage
    Pages 131-141
  8. Time Line

    • Wolfgang W. Osterhage
    Pages 143-146
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 147-156

About this book

This new scientific biography explores the influences on, and of, Galileo’s exceptional work, thereby revealing novel connections with the worldviews of his age and beyond.

Galileo Galilei's contribution to science is unquestionable. And his conflict with the church establishment of his time is no less famous. In this book, authored by a physicist and history scholar, Galileo's life and work are described against a backdrop of the prior scientific state of the art in his various fields of achievement. Particular emphasis is placed on Galileo's vision of the world in relation to historic and also future cosmological models. The impact of his discoveries and theories for the later development of physics and astronomy is a further focus of the narrative.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Wachtberg, Germany

    Wolfgang W. Osterhage

About the author

Wolfgang Osterhage, born in 1948, holds PhDs in Physics and Information Science. He has worked as consultant to international organisations and corporations, and as lecturer and visiting professor at various institutes in Germany. Now, after many years of professional activity in other countries, he lives and works in the Rhineland as an independent author.


Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access