The Sensorium Of God - Stuart Clark
Don't be put off by the title. The title is a quote from one of Newton's own manuscripts.
This is the second in this series by Stuart Clark. I enjoyed the first book, so it was a given that I would get hold of his next. These works fall into the 'faction' genre. Clark makes it clear which areas have been created as a means of turning historical events into a readable story.
For a large part of the story, Edmond Halley is used as a narrator of sorts. The interactions between Hooke, Newton, Leibniz, Flamsteed and the changing Monarchs are often seen through his eyes.
Newton was a genius but I did not realise just how twisted some of his ideas really were. They all lived in a time where you could still find yourself dangling from the end of a rope for going against the politics and religion of the day. It is a good thing that some of his ideas were not widely known until after his death or it might have meant a big delay in the progress of Science and enlightenment.
A final book
The Day Without Yesterday, is yet to be published. It will focus on the life of Albert Einstein.
Once again, if you like this style of story telling then Stuart Clark's books are worth reading.
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