Discourse on Bodies in Water

This is twice a classic. First, it is one of Galileo's important early works, first published in 1612. It was successful enough at the time to warrant the preparation of a second edition, and it seems have triggered quite a lot of debate. But second, this is a facsimile reprint of the translation produced by Thomas Salisbury and published in 1663, so that it gives direct evidence of the reception of Galileo's ideas in England. Plus, there is an introduction by Stillman Drake (written in 1960), covering both Galileo's and Salisbury's works. So there's joy all around.

Of course, Galileo studies have progressed a lot since this book was published in 1960, but it is still good to have it back as a Dover Phoenix. Anyone who is interested in Galileo's science and its reception in England — or who just wants to see what a 1663 English edition of Galileo looked like — will want a copy.

Fernando Q. Gouvêa loves old books, and thinks that facsimile editions are really neat.