Reviews
This is an exceedingly rich book... it should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in the origins of modern science.
Van Berkel has uncovered the rich content and historical significance of Beeckman and his journal.
Van Berkel has done an admirable job of recreating Beeckman's life and helping us to understand his development and his place in the progress of science in the seventeenth century.
A thoroughly researched... study of Beeckman's life and scientific achievements.
In the present book Van Berkel succeeds in revealing the context as well as the content of Beeckman's life and scholarly work... An important contribution to the history of the new science of the seventeenth century, and is a must for every scholar of this period.
... Van Berkel’s book is an important contribution to our understanding of early modern natural philosophy.
The judicious piecing together of the fragmentary biographical material with the content of Beeckman's scientific diary not only brings back to life an extraordinary scientific practitioner but helps shed new light on the nature of European science on the eve of the scientific revolution of the seventeenth century.
Book Details
Preface
Introduction
1. The Making of a Natural Philosopher, 1588–1619
2. Schoolteacher and Craftsman, 1619–1627
3. Among Patricians and Philosophers, 1627–1637
4. Principles of Mechanical Philosophy I
Preface
Introduction
1. The Making of a Natural Philosopher, 1588–1619
2. Schoolteacher and Craftsman, 1619–1627
3. Among Patricians and Philosophers, 1627–1637
4. Principles of Mechanical Philosophy I: Matter
5. Principles of Mechanical Philosophy II: Motion
6. Sources for a Mechanical Philosophy
7. Beeckman and the Scientific Revolution
Notes
Bibliographic Essay
Index