The Principia: The Authoritative Translation: Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy

We are in 1687, Newton just climbed Euclid's shoulder to show us how bodies move using geometry (nothing sexy, though). The show starts with three axioms also called "the laws of motion". From these three, he goes building a tight knitted set of theorems about bodies interacting with each other through invisible forces. The whole thing is of course demonstrated using geometric proofs. SEVERAL abstract arguments; i.e. tons of ratios including the inverse square law (gravity). He often tries to avoid the tedious ad absurdum proofs from ancient geometers like Euclid but he is still very tedious (his own words). Sometimes he makes references to Galileo's experiments but he did many himself (e.g. pendulums oscillating in air, water and quicksilver). It took me a few years to gather the courage to finish books 1 and 2 (this translation is far better). Then comes book 3 entitled "system of worlds" where he applies his constructions to our solar system. He was particularly obsessed with the moon and comets (including their tails). Takeaway: since he is demonstrating everything, this is quite different from the digested mechanics we learn at school. You better come with your intrepid persistence against this book.

No scientist's library is complete until he has this book. Newton opened the door to modern thinking for us. It's a great book.

I appreciated the inclusion of the history of the principia. I found the font to be legible and neatly printed. My only complaints about the book are that some of the drawings aren't exactly proportional and the lack of current geometric notation. (I feet that the use of current notation is necessary to help understand the diagrams.)

Exactly what I wanted. The book has amazing quality pages and covers, the material is phenomenal, well worth the price. Belongs on any intellectual's bookshelf or mathematician's bed.

Nothing at all is wrong with the purchase.

very interesting book

It's terrible

The book met my friend's expectations.

A great deal of scholarship has gone into this version ' in a way similar to the remix of the White' album by Giles Martin it goes back to the original texts to capture newton's way of expressing himself while being totally modern in the mathematical expressions. What's not to like?!!

Very pleased.

Thanks

Lovely book but by no means light reading you have to really love maths

Good book, delivered quickly...