Book Review: "Newton and the Counterfeiter" by Thomas Levenson. Publisher HMH.
Buy this book and read it.
I love it when an author does loads of original research, then writes a story that lets the events speak for themselves. (OK, that is a bit of a simplification since he has a spin - but it is a relatively small spin, and I don't mind it, and feel free to form my own conclusions.) Lord knows there have been too many books written about Issac Newton. So why would we need another? Because of the way Mr Levenson organizes Newton's life. The inexplicable mysteries of inventing a new form of physics, followed by Alchemical research on an unparalleled scale are dealt with quickly, and respectfully. Then we launch into what we might call Newton's third life. Most of us barely get one life. If we are lucky and work hard we get two lives during this one. I have not read Newton's alchemical writings, though I knew that he wrote more about religion and alchemy than about physics. I am forever grateful to Mr Levenson for telling me that Newton himself wrote that he had achieved what he was looking for in his alchemical studies. I do not know how to underline or emphasize this enough. Newton said he found what he was looking for. Further discussion of that will occur elsewhere.
Then Mr Newton is called up for service to help save the nation of England. England's currency is broken. No one has the understanding or the will power to fix it. The King requires ever more money. Very exciting stuff. I will not spoil the author's glory in giving anything away.
Go buy the book and read it.
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