Title : The Life and Science of Léon Foucault

Author : William Tobin

Published in Dec 2003 by CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS

Address : The Edinburgh Building, Shaftesbury Road, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK

Telephone : 01223 312393 Fax : 01223 315052

Internet : www.cambridge.org

ISBN : 0-521-80855-3 - 338 pages – hardback

PRICE : £55.00 $ 110.00

Léon Foucault’s name is synonymous with his famous pendulum experiment, which proved for the first time that the Earth rotated. However, his contributions to science went well beyond his pendulum - the gyroscope; laboratory measurements of the speed of light; the invention of methods to make perfect optical surfaces which have led to today's enormous reflecting telescopes. He also worked as an early photographer and a newspaper journalist; with electricity; and attempted to devise (unsuccessfully) a universal mechanical governor. This blend of the pure and the applied in Foucault's work makes him a fascinating case study of one of the last amateur scientists. This abundantly-illustrated biography will prove to be a fascinating read for anyone interested in Foucault as a pioneer of science. Some knowledge of elementary scientific terms is required, but no detailed knowledge of physics is assumed.

• Explains the underlying physics in simple terms, giving a comprehensive and definitive account of Foucault’s achievements • Highly illustrated with contemporary engravings, photographs and explanatory drawings • Abundant quotations make the book accessible and easy to read