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A review by snowcrash
Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World's Greatest Scientist by Thomas Levenson
3.0
I picked up this book as I had never heard of the story of Newton as the Warden of the Crown’s Mint. That Newton had played detective to counter one of the more notorious counterfeiters of the age in London. While the overall story was somewhat interesting, the better parts are the view into Newton’s life and that of London at the time.
The overall portrayal of Newton is not flattering. It does ring true to his character. He doesn’t really have friends, is difficult to like all the while truly brilliant. There is a lot of first hand source material in the form of letters Newton wrote that allow the reader to get at the core of the man.
The counterfeiter at the center of the story is the general opposite of Newton. While just as brilliant, he has the personality of a cat: likable but willing to bite you just the same. It is here where our intrepid antagonist seeks out ways to take advantage of the flaws in the design of the Crown’s money. We get to learn why ridges are common (can’t clip the coin down on the edge).
The book is a good slice of history, bringing to life the times of Newton & how he worked for a time for the Crown to protect the money of England.
The overall portrayal of Newton is not flattering. It does ring true to his character. He doesn’t really have friends, is difficult to like all the while truly brilliant. There is a lot of first hand source material in the form of letters Newton wrote that allow the reader to get at the core of the man.
The counterfeiter at the center of the story is the general opposite of Newton. While just as brilliant, he has the personality of a cat: likable but willing to bite you just the same. It is here where our intrepid antagonist seeks out ways to take advantage of the flaws in the design of the Crown’s money. We get to learn why ridges are common (can’t clip the coin down on the edge).
The book is a good slice of history, bringing to life the times of Newton & how he worked for a time for the Crown to protect the money of England.