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"Although you may not have ever thought you needed to read a book about Archimedes, this book might leave you wondering how you got through life thus far without reading one. In this, lies Hirshfeld's rare talent. And if you have been looking for such a book, this one should have you leaping from your bathtub and heading for the door, proclaiming "Eureka -- I have found it.""--"Metro West Daily News"<p>"Alan Hirshfeld [cuts] through the centuries of hype surrounding this ancient genius. Against the vivid backdrop of a city under Roman siege, we're told what little is known of the life of Archimedes, and of the futuristic war machines he invented at his king's behest, which for years kept the invaders at bay. Hirshfeld explains Archimedes's mathematical achievements, from calculating pi to developing the beginnings of calculus, and traces the survival of key copies of his work through history as poetically as if they were travellers sailing to port over a stormy sea. A charming introduction to the life and legacy of an extraordinary man."--"New Scientist"<p>"An insightful and engaging biography of the man of the legendary exclaim. To my surprise, Archimedes was a Newton, Edison, General Patton, and Einstein, all rolled into one: the eighth wonder of the ancient world. Alan Hirshfield provides both a delightful romp through this great man's mathematical proofs and a thrilling tale of the centuries-long search for Archimedes' greatest manuscript. We are introduced to a genius well worth knowing."--Marcia Bartusiak, author of "The Day We Found the Universe "and adjunct professor of science writing at MIT<p>"Naked Archimedes running down the street shouting 'Eureka!' It's an image to chuckle over and cherish. But, oh my, there is so much more to fascinate in the tale of this astonishing man. Alan Hirshfeld has merged storytelling and science in a wonderful book that even includes a modern discovery with twists and turns of intrigue."--Joy Hakim, author of "The Story of S
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Eureka man: the life and legacy of Archimedes
Review of Eureka man: the life and legacy of Archimedes by Alan Hirshfeld.
CITATION: Hirshfeld, A. W. (2009). Eureka man: the life and legacy of Archimedes. New York: Walker and Company.
Reviewer: Dr W. P. Palmer
`Eureka man: the life and legacy of Archimedes' makes...
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Review of Eureka man: the life and legacy of Archimedes by Alan Hirshfeld.
CITATION: Hirshfeld, A. W. (2009). Eureka man: the life and legacy of Archimedes. New York: Walker and Company.
Reviewer: Dr W. P. Palmer
`Eureka man: the life and legacy of Archimedes' makes interesting reading. However don't expect a biography with full biographical details. The fact is that only a limited amount of information is available about Archimedes' life or as Hirshfeld states `the face he presented to his fellow citizens of Syracuse- will always lie in shadow,...' (p. 13). We learn that Archimedes was born `around 287BC' (p. 16) and that he died in the Roman siege of Syracuse in 212BC (p. 99). The first part of the book (Chapters 1-6) covers the little that is known of Archimedes' life. There is also information about the geography and history of Syracuse and its wars with Rome. Also there are details of Archimedes relationship with the kings of Syracuse, his inventions, including his military inventions and his mastery of Syracuse's defenses, with some information about his writings.
The second part of the book presents us with a history of the books that Archimedes wrote as well as how some particular works (his treatises) were discovered underneath the writings of early Christian authors as they had used an existing small book (a codex) made of parchment. Parchment was made from calf-skin and was in short supply so it was often cheaper to re-use existing books. This book (Archimedes' Palimpsest) disappeared and reappeared several times in history and this account provides the major part of the book (Chapters 7-14).
The final chapter (the appendix) attempts to investigate two myths about Archimedes. Did Archimedes run naked through the streets of Syracuse shouting `Eureka'? Did he invent a system of mirrors that set fire to Roman galleys at a distance? Hirshfeld believes that the answer to both questions is likely to be negative.
Overall this makes a good read.
BILL PALMER
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