Review by Choice Review
One of the best-known disputes between mathematical giants is that of Newton and Leibniz and their discovery of calculus. Although Newton and Leibniz would be considered two of the most prolific mathematicians even if neither had discovered calculus, it is their dispute over who had the right to claim intellectual ownership of calculus that makes them human. This book is about mathematicians, not mathematics. Bardi, a writer and editor specializing in the sciences, captures the entire story of the quarrel in this book. Written in narrative form, it does an excellent job of not only considering both sides of the dispute but also placing the disagreements in historical and political context, enabling readers to understand the motivations of both men as well as of the entire intellectual community. For more historical details, see A. Rupert Hall's Philosophers at War (CH, Oct'80). ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General readers, historical mathematicians. J. T. Zerger Catawba College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Those interested in a lucid, nontechnical account of the battle between Isaac Newton (1642-1727) and German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) over who invented calculus will welcome science writer and debut author Bardi's cautionary tale. As early as 1665, Newton composed a manuscript detailing his method of calculus with examples, but after his unpleasant experience with a 1672 paper on optics that aroused the ire of Robert Hooke, an eminent member of the Royal Society who accused the younger man of plagiarism, Newton became shy of publishing. Between 1672 and 1676, Leibniz independently discovered calculus, using notation that has since become standard. When Leibniz published his results, Newton's allies rushed to discredit Leibniz in what developed, in Bardi's words, into "the greatest intellectual property debate of all time." While a few personal asides might better have been put in the preface, Bardi provides a timeless lesson about human pride as he describes the series of misunderstandings and miscommunications that led to the clash between these two great minds, "perhaps the greatest of their day." Illus. not seen by PW. (May 10) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
