Along Came Galileo | 
 enlarge | Creator: Jeanne Bendick
Publisher: Beautiful Feet Books
Category: Book
List Price: $11.95
Buy New: $9.95
You Save: $2.00 (17%)
New (6) Used (4) from $8.00
Rating:  4 reviews
Sales Rank: 63089
Media: Paperback
Edition: 0
Reading Level: Young Adult
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 95
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.3
ISBN: 1893103013
Dewey Decimal Number: 910
EAN: 9781893103016
ASIN: 1893103013
Publication Date: November 1, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
One of the most important figures to come out of the awakening world of the Renaissance was Galileo Galelei. Often referred to as the "Archimedes of his time" Galileo was forever asking questions. Is it possible to measure heat? Is it possible to weigh air? Does the earth stand still or does it move? How fast do objects fall to the earth? His questions led to some of the most important answers of the scientific world and to his contributions to astronomy, physics, and mathematics. Galileo also advanced the astronomical telescope and invented the compound microscope. He measured the rotation of the sun, invented the thermometer, a geometrical compass and the pendulum clock. He was a man of faith, a lover of art and an accomplished artist. He played the lute and enjoyed working in his garden. He was the first to see, through the lens of the telescope, the wonders of our galaxy sights that moved him to profound gratitude to God. He was so ahead of his time that his discoveries caused him to be the object of persecution and injustice. Through her whimsical illustrations and her bright engaging text Bendick has provided the middle reader with Galileo's inspiring story.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Jeanne Bendick did it again November 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Jeanne Bendick has a gift for making science, and scientists, lively. And she uses that gift, in this book, to present Galileo as a curious, interesting, normal person -- an excellent role model for little scientists!
What made Galileo so normal? Well, he had problems at school -- his father wanted him to study things that didn't interest him. He had money troubles trying to support his family, and he had to relocate for jobs. He got stuck in the middle of a power struggle. He had lots of houseguests, and even took in boarders. He liked to show off (a little). Kids can relate to all of that.
What made Galileo extraordinary is the way he never gave up. This book does a fine job demonstrating his pursuit of knowledge, his discoveries, and his inventions.
My biggest concern was how the book would treat the church vs. science conflict -- it is so often framed as "backwards, repressive church squashes free-thinking genius." Instead, that conflict is dealt with fairly and honestly. The church was the political power of the day, there were factions, and Galileo was aligned with a faction. The other faction used him as a flashpoint to pick apart the power of his faction, and he was stuck in the middle.
I think the most fascinating section of the book dealt with Galileo's telescope and how he used it to study the night skies. I liked the helpful warning on page 52: NEVER NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SUN...
Throughout the book, Ms. Bendick's illustrations are clear and to-the-point. The map on page 6 is very helpful through the whole book. This book brings science to life, and I can't rate it highly enough.
Along Came Galileo July 18, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book was purchased for my 6th grade son. He read it in less than a week. These books are fun and easy to read. They give a background of the actual person and how they came to discover or invent something. We have several of the Jeanne Bendick books and now my 5th grade daughter is reading them. Unlike typical school science books spurting dates and names, we appreciate getting to know these inventors in this lighthearted manner.
Excellent Biography September 29, 2005
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This excellent biography of Galileo effectively relates the cultural view toward science at the time. While the church then had staunchly supported preconceived notions regarding astronomy (despite Biblical references that did not concur with those thoughts), Galileo persevered in pursuing truth based on factual observations. Galileo was a role model for our present youth to continue to test scientific observations and draw conclusions based upon factual data rather than the reputation and popularity of other scientists and their views, however long-standing those theories may have existed.
A Renaissance Man June 13, 2000
37 out of 40 found this review helpful
This book was a fun and informative read. The author, Jeanne Bendick, included much about the times and way of life. She clearly explains and illustrates the thoughts of the day about the universe as well as the differences between the thinking of the ancient Greeks and Galileo, who did not blindly accept the ancient teachings.The middle to upper elementary student will gain insight into science, other famous astronomers/scientists from that era, geography, and history through this book. Each chapter concludes with a quote from Galileo that is perfect for copy work.
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