The Earth Moves: Galileo and the Roman Inquisition Author: Dan Hofstadter Publisher: W W Norton and Company ISBN: 978-0-393-06650-0 Price: £18.99 (Hb), 240pp
Check prices on Amazon amazon.co.uk                 amazon.com

With so many books covering Galileo’s astronomical feats, Dan Hofstadter’s unique book bridges a gap in our scientific and moral understanding of both man and the times. The prologue immediately sets the scene with the day Galileo was summoned to appear before the Roman Inquisition. The charge, simply to account for his published debates on an Earth-centred system of the Universe versus the Sun-centred system. Galileo’s book entitled Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems had been published in May 1632 and confusion reigned as to exactly Galileo’s basis of acknowledging the Papal and Roman Catholic doctrine. Galileo wrote purely from an astronomical viewpoint and although may have miscalculated the impact of his work, appears innocent of the charge of heresy.

I am particularly impressed with Hofstadter’s in-depth linking of Galileo’s astronomical observations from his early use of the newly invented telescope in 1609/1610 through to the time of publication of his book and how this jarred against the backdrop of the Roman authorities’ dismissal of the Copernican heliocentric theory of the Universe. For the first time, we are brought face-to-face with notable individuals involved in the case, including Cioli, Niccolini, and Ciampioli, who attempted to offer evidence in support of Galileo. I do not wish to comment on the actual case as the book allows the reader to arrive at their own conclusion – such is the mastery of Hofstadter; but be advised the anecdotal remarks that enliven the text, help this process immeasurably. Hofstadter’s superb book attempts to, without prejudice, redress the balance and bring Galileo’s character forward. In this, the book is a superlative effort.

Ian Welland