Summary
Heilbron takes in the landscape of culture, learning, religion, science, theology, and politics of late Renaissance Italy to produce a richer and more rounded view of Galileo, his scientific thinking, and the company he kept. Full description
- A Florentine education. Upbringing ; Gap years ; Character analysis
- A Tuscan Archimedes. Hell and mathematics ; Barycentric exercises ; De motu ; Galileo at 25
- Life in the Serenissima. Settling in ; Steady state
- Galilean science. Reluctant astronomer ; Mover and shaker
- Calculated risks. Starry message ; Celestial messenger ; More rabbits from the hat ; Family affairs and former friends
- Miscalculated risks. Freelance exegetes ; Poetical interlude ; Ill omens
- Vainglory. The Pope ; The knight ; The windmill ; The tilt
- End games. Dramatis personae ; Winding up ; Last days ; The end of the affair?