About the Book
Robert Hooke is best known for his studies of light, sound, and microscopic beings. Sometimes called England's Leonardo da Vinci, Hooke's works included detailed drawings and descriptions of his observations of nature, and he was a creative genius and inventor. Although Hooke had enemies who felt that he did not deserve credit for his experiments, he never stopped working and studying. Robert Hooke devoted his life to learning more about the modern world, and many of his findings are used today.
About the Author :
Michael Burgan has written numerous books for children and young adults during his nearly 20 years as a freelance writer. Many of his books have focused on U.S. history, geography, and the lives of world leaders. Michael has won several awards for his writing, and his graphic novel version of the classic tale Frankenstein (Stone Arch Books) was a Junior Library Guild selection. Michael graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor's degree in history. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his cat, Callie.
Review :
Some would say the greatest revolutions are not fought on the battlefield, but in the laboratory. The Signature Lives series illustrates the revolutions inspired by Tycho Brahe, Robert Hooke, Gerardus Mercator, and Sir Isaac Newton. In 150 years of the "Scientific Revolution," beginning in 1550 and ending around 1700, these four men generated ideas and used common sense as well as meticulous data collection to prove and publish new theories. These new theories in turn sparked more ideas and led to laws that still stand today. These biographies illustrate four very different yet equally fascinating ways of thinking scientifically. Each beautifully designed book transports readers to another time. Using period paintings and modern photographs, the brilliantly designed pages provide personal accounts of challenges and triumphs. The layouts are outstanding, with sidebars that further define content, timelines comparing events of the scientists' lives to historical events, "facts at a glance," and additional resources including the Facthound website to enhance learning. Although some material is more appropriate for middle school students, certain sections of the books can be read to or by students in upper elementary grades. What were the similarities and differences among the scientists' lives? Of the four scientists, Mercator was poor, Newton's family had money but he was given a meager allowance while in college, Brahe was very wealthy, and Hooke's parents were middle class. All left home at a young age. Tragedies abound in each biography. Mercator was sent to prison for heresy, Brahe lost his nose in a sword duel, Hooke was a sickly child, and Newton moved to escape hardships. Yet young readers will share the joys that each scientist discovered as they investigated. Hooke took a job with Robert Boyle and had an extensive group of friends yet was equally gifted at clock building, architecture, and drawing. Newton had a mathematical mind that rivaled his curiosity. Mercator treasured faith, family, and the science of mapmaking. And Brahe pursued economic excellence, family, scientific observations, and political savvy. As readers compare lives that seem so different on the surface, they will undoubtably ask: "How did each of these men find intellectual opportunity?" Although all had different talents, their love of learning and urge for discovery surpassed even their desire to eat. Each was a true genius, an avid scientist, and a lifelong learner. Can we as teachers pass along some of those traits to our students? Can we show them the way? Based on what I read from the biographies of Mercator, Brahe, Newton, and Hooke, there is a path and it is found by reading and discovering the greatness in the lives of scientists who lived long ago. While each of these books is worth independent reading by students, there is even greater value in a classroom exploration that contrasts and compares them so that students can find their own genius in the discovery.-- "NSTA Recommends"
This biography of the multi-talented seventeenth-century English scientist and philosopher Robert Hooke places the thinker firmly in the context of the period's scientific revolution. Following an opening chapter that outlines some of Hooke's key contributions to scientific inquiry, the text turns to Hooke's childhood on the Isle of Wight, as well as his early scientific curiosity and his education at Oxford. Later chapters further examine Hooke's scientific discoveries, as well as his works of architecture and invention. Throughout, small sidebars explain scientific and cultural issues of the day, from the Anglican Church to Newton's scientific laws. Some of the incidents described in this story seem fictionalized (e.g., accounts of specific moments in the lab), but overall the text is grounded in historical fact. Likewise, the paintings by Rita Greer of Hooke and his contemporaries are based on written descriptions rather than on extant depictions (no actual paintings of Hooke exist). Other illustrations include color photographs of important locations in Hooke's life as well as archival scientific drawings and documents. An illustrated timeline, a list of additional print and online resources, and a glossary round out the volume. An entry in the "Signature Lives" series.-- "Children's Literature"
This well-documented, 112-page book will introduce middle and high school readers to the productive life of Robert Hooke, a creative scientist, architect, and inventor with wide-ranging interests and an inquiring mind. Hooke provided insightful ideas and leadership in several science areas during the 17th century, a time of significant change in scientific thinking and understanding. Hooke's publications revealed his intense curiosity in the natural world and a commitment to describe, understand, and explain a variety of phenomena with care. His work helped to shape the nature of modern science, as well as some of the scientific concepts students study in school science today. Organized as a series of episodes from Hooke's life, the book provides interesting glimpses into his interactions with other well-known 17th century scientists and gives insight into the history and nature of science. The author suggests that Hooke's diverse interests sometimes caused him to interrupt the careful study of one phenomenon to focus on another. These shifting foci prevented him from following up on some of his ideas and from collaborating with some of his comtemporaries. The author's description of Hooke's concepts are not always clear or valid, but that is not a fatal flaw. The book includes a chronology of Hooke's life and times, citation notes, references, the address of one Web site where readers can gather relevant information, and a brief glossary.-- "Science Books & Films"
