First Scientist:
Ibn al-Haytham
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Award-winning author Bradley Steffens introduces Ibn al-Haytham in this first full biography ever written about the eleventh-century polymath. Centuries before better-known researchers such as Roger Bacon, Leonardo da Vinci, and Galileo Galilei were born, Ibn al-Haytham investigated eyesight and the propagation of light in a profound manner, the likes of which had never before been fully utilized, and documented his findings in his magnum opus Book of Optics. This book made its way to medieval Europe and influenced generations of researchers. By systematically using experiments to test his hypotheses, Ibn al-Haytham changed the course of human history, giving humankind a new and effective way of establishing facts about the natural world—an approach known today as the scientific method.
Critical Acclaim
"This new coffee table edition of Steffens’s biography of Ibn al-Haytham is a thing of beauty, with stunning photographs and illustrations adding to the scholarly yet accessible biographical text. Ibn al-Haytham is rightly regarded as one of the greatest scientists in history and should be a household name everywhere in the world. The fact that he led such a colourful life is a delightful bonus. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know, and even those I don’t."
—Jim Al-Khalili, author of The House of Wisdom: How Arabic Science Saved Ancient Knowledge and Gave Us the Renaissance
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"Bradley Steffens’s engaging style makes the life and works of one of the greatest scholars in history accessible to the modern audience. It is an excellent introduction to not only a great mind in human history whose discoveries a millennium ago continue to benefit us in the modern world but also the larger field of history of Islamic mathematics and science.
"The fascinating story of a remarkable polymath in this captivating book will make you finish it in one sitting and want to keep it nearby for easy reference. Along the way, you will also learn about the Islamic culture and the larger context and issues.
"First Scientist: Ibn al-Haytham fills a significant void in the literature and the new, updated version is even more attractive and engaging than the original edition. It will be highly appreciated by anyone who is interested in the history of science."
—Nuh Aydin, Professor of Mathematics, Kenyon College
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“Steffens's account of the life of Ibn al-Haytham is not just a good read. It's also a compelling illustration of how Islam, far from being an impediment to free thought, frees us from the tyranny of the opinions of human authorities.”
—Dr. Kevin Barrett, Truth Jihad Radio
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