On Tycho's Island

“Before there were island universes, there was Tycho’s island, where a new kind of observatory and research institution linked a Danish island to the planets and stars. What I love best about John Christianson’s book is the level of detail his scholarship probes. If you want to know who taught the incomparable Tycho his trigonometry or who engineered the hydraulic system that delivered running water to all the rooms in the castle of Uraniborg, you’ll find their names and follow their lively adventures here.” Dava Sobel, author of Longitude and Galileo’s Daughter “…Christianson puts Tycho’s scientific achievements in the context of the daily life, intellectual milieu, and courtly politics of the era…Christianson provides a double share of fascinating insights into the era and the career of perhaps the greatest astronomer of the pre-telescope era. A gold mine for anyone interested in one of the giants of Renaissance science.” Kirkus “16th century scientist Tycho Brahe receives relatively little mention in modern times: this explores his entire range of scientific activities which go beyond his better-known astronomical explorations. A well-rounded portrait of Brahe the man as well as his many scientific interests and his works on his private island is presented in a study which includes intriguing facts on his contemporaries.” Midwest Book Review “On Tycho’s Island brims with intriguing material…” Physics Today “Anyone with an interest in astronomy or the history of science will enjoy this tale, thanks to Christianson’s lively style and thorough research.” Dan Falk, Toronto Globe & Mail

Christianson received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.