Isaac the Alchemist: Secrets of Isaac Newton, Reveal'd

Isaac the Alchemist: Secrets of Isaac Newton, Reveal'd
By Mary Losure
Candlewick Press, 2017. Biography.

Sir Isaac Newton is probably best known among kids for his observations on gravity. Those more interested in physical sciences may also know about his Laws of Motion. I'm willing to wager that not many young readers know about his experimentation with alchemy - the pseudo-science that attempts to turn everyday metals into gold. The focus of this fairly slim biography is on this part of the great scientist's life - a part many people may not know.

This book is exciting, riveting, and (forgive me for saying) magical. Before I read this book I wasn't really sure how a nonfiction book - even a biography - could have a real setting. Now, I'm a believer that this is something all biographers should strive to accomplish. The text of this book is very clever without being cutesy and makes the reader feel like they're living in the late middle ages. Period illustrations and medieval terminology - saltpeter and aqua fortis rather than potassium nitrate and nitric acid - drive this point home. This medieval world of both magic and science is one many young readers will be happy to inhabit.

Comments

Laura said…

Loved this book also. Thanks for the review.

March 26, 2018 at 2:44 PM

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