Product Description

Translated into English by Andrew Motte in 1729, this book is a complete volume of Newton's mathematical principles relating to natural philosophy and his system of the world. Newton, one of the most brilliant scientists and thinkers of all time, presents his theories, formulas and thoughts. Included are chapters relative to the motion of bodies; motion of bodies in resisting mediums; and system of the world in mathematical treatment; a section on axioms or laws of motion, and definitions.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15709 in Books
• Published on: 1995-06-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 465 pages

Customer Reviews

The Book that changed the world
This book is possibly the most important book that has ever been published in the history of the world. (possibly as Maxwell's book is also in strong contention). It is difficult to sum the wide ranging implications that Newton had on the world, sure, everyone knows about gravity. But he did so much more - he proved Kepler's laws, showed how the binomial expansion worked, gave us the three fundamental laws of motion - which stood the test of time for centuries (until Einstein made a minor adjustment to them), he brought fluid dynamics into being (how water or air move through pipes and so forth), he revolutionised optics and he invented the biggest powerhouse of the mathematical world: Calculus. (despite what the other reviewer says, Newton discovered it before Libnitz, although they discovered it indepentantly).

Obviously, not all of these things are in this book. In fact there is an entire separate volume dedicated to his work in optics. And yes, it is written in such a way to make it practically unreadable, so not one you can go to bed with.

However, purely on the earth moving implications of the work contained within these pages, it is my opinion that everyone should have a copy, if only to put on their shelf and be able to say: "I might not have read it, but it's the most important work that's ever been published. Kudos Newton"

Six stars if possible.

Outstanding
The defining work for 200 years. However, I believe some of his claims will not hold up when velocities approach the speed of light.

Leibniz disagrees
Ich denke that Principia shows its Englisches parochialism, especially so in greater Anglo-Saxonia. Ich very much prefer Galileo; besides, Italian secretaries are so much better!