Michael Faraday: Father of Electronics

“Albert Einstein was a devoted admirer of Faraday. While still in Berlin, this famous man who developed the theory of relativity kept a large portrait of Faraday in his study. Later, having escaped the Nazis, Einstein again displayed a large portrait of Faraday—this time in his Princeton study. Einstein believed that Faraday stood shoulder to shoulder with Galileo and Sir Isaac Newton.’’Why did Einstein admire Faraday? Well, Faraday’s experiments, and his dramatic new theory of matter (all matter is fields) was the source of Einstein’s life’s work. No wonder!Ludwig covers Faraday’s Religion is same detail. For example . . .“Michael was not interested in the war. But sometimes he had to read the stories to illiterate customers. About the only ones who didn’t discuss the war were the Quakers and Anabaptists.“If your paper doesn’t stop printing so many things about the war, we’re going to stop taking it,” threatened an Anabaptist.“Why do you say that?” inquired Michael, noticing the man’s unusually plain garments.“Because we’re against all violence.”This clearly describes Faraday’s interest in politics. None! The mind of God, however, is a different thing!“What makes it do that?” “I really don’t know,” replied Michael, speaking around a mouthful of egg. “But someday I will find out!”“And if you find out, what good will it do?” asked Riebau, his practicality surfacing. Michael waited until he had swallowed his food before answering.“Oh, it will do a lot of good; for it will reveal one of the hidden laws of God.”This drive to understand nature, came from his commitment to comprehend the mind of God.This sounds odd, even weird to the modern ear. Can this really make that much difference? In considering that question, I recall that the scientific revolution, technology, only appeared in Christian Europe. Not China, not India, not Africa, etc., etc.. Are European’s just smarter? I don’t think so. The belief in a rational, lawful universe was essential for scientific effort.Another requirement is the courage to reject old ideas and be rejected by old scientists. Faraday’s training as a ‘dissenter’ (rejecting the Anglican Church) was the perfect foundation for rejecting Newton’s Physics.“Curious about the Royal Society, Faraday checked out a volume on its history from the R.I. library and took it to his attic apartment. The more he studied the musty book the more impressed he became. Speaking to Sarah across the supper table, he said,“The R.S. is really old. It was founded in 1662 during the reign of Charles II. Those founders must have had a lot of courage, for their motto was Nullius in Verba—Don’t take anyone’s word for it.”“That’s a good motto,” interrupted Sarah.“Why would it take courage to use it?”“Because anyone who disagreed with Aristotle in those days was accused of heresy and might be burned at the stake.” Michael was silent as he buttered his bread and attacked his soup.’’Many don’t realize that rejecting Aristotle’s doctrines was key problem. It wasn’t Bible texts that prevented science, in fact the Bible readers (among others) created science!“L. Pearce Williams commented:“His true humility lay in a profound consciousness of his debt to his Creator. That Michael Faraday, poor, uneducated son of a journeyman blacksmith and a country maid was permitted to glimpse the beauty of the eternal laws of nature was a never-ending source of wonder to him.’’Every biography explains Faraday this same way. Humility before God and yet, courageously overturned the great Sir Issac Newton!Although famous as experimentalist, Faraday also propounded a new theory of matter.“For a long time he had believed “that the various forms under which the forces of matter are made manifest have one common origin. This strong persuasion,” he added, “extends to the powers of light.”Of course this was not explained until the additional work of Maxwell and Einstein.Other biographies comment that Faraday was hurt that this insight was rejected, even ridiculed. What a mistake! He now vindicated.This work written more as a novel than dry pedantic textbook. Even youths can enjoy this presentation. Does not focus on science but on the man and his personality.Enjoyable, touching, vivid

If you’re looking to get a great summary on Michael Faraday’s life, I highly recommend reading this book. This book covers a lot of Michael Faraday’s life from early childhood to his final days with plenty of citations. I wish there was a little more detail on the magneto-optical effect that Faraday discovered towards the end of his life as I think this was his greatest discovery.Overall though, I was incredibly thrilled reading about the life of Michael Faraday. Anyone wanting to know more about his life and work, I highly recommend you pick up this book and start reading!

A remarkable and memorable book! An A+. A 10. I ran across a copy at the Santa Barbara library's donated books for sale shelves and liked the "look" of the book. The size and the "heft", too. I bought it with other books mostly to support the library selling it, :-) but when I got home, I started to read it. It is an amazing read. Mr. Ludwig's style is surprising, different and intriguing. Mr. Ludwig's outlook on Michael Faraday's life and how and why he accomplished what he did, combined in that style, made the unprepossessing book quite a read! I read the whole thing right then and there and found it an amazing reading experience. The envisioning and portraying by Mr. Ludwig of Michael Faraday and Faraday's life, world, era, and beliefs is very, very, special. The overall "portrait" is unforgettable. I do not see this as just a child's or student's book. I see it as an inspiration. I plan to give copies to thoughtful friends and family. Read it. Judge for yourself and pass it on. Highly recommended.

This is a good book and deserves all the 5 star ratings. Faraday life and accomplishments are among the most impressive of any scientist of any time. However, if you are buying this for science facts and an explanation of Faraday's discoveries you are going to be sadly disappointed.

I was captivated. This is well written. For me, the book was written so I felt ad if I knew Faraday as a friend. His daily life, while interesting scientifically, was rather simple, yet the book is written in such a way that you find the amazing excitement that Faraday felt as he made his many discoveries What an amazing man, from basically uneducated to having a fundamental physical and parameter carry your name. Wow!

Been looking for a book like this for a long time. Inspiring, interesting, and uplifting don't begin to describe this book. The author is a first-rate writer and connector of ideas who I suspect would be capable of turning the most mundane subject into a thoroughly enjoyable read. I will look out for other works by this author.

My 13 year old son loves the subject of electromagnetism and asked me to purchase a book for him about this man. It was small enough for him to read through without getting bored. Great homeschool material!

It is a really simplified biography but probably covers the important facts of his life. A real fast read and I would recommend it.

Great story. Read alongside Chemicle History of a Candle (written by Micheal Faraday)

this is a must read for adults and young people. the story and facts about this wonderful man and also his very strong beliefs in godmakes this a thoroughly enlightening read. would recommend this to all.

Great read

This book is simply written every child should read it. We owe this man so much, his modesty would not let himself be thought of as someone special. The world is a better place because of him. The author brought him back to life we should honour his memory.

It is a very nice and interesting book..One of my personal Favourite..Language is very simple to understand..A person interested in science will definately enjoy it..This book depicts Sir Faradays love for his family and His true faith in God and his laws and his Struggles in life...and his simplicity....I Fell i am very luckey that I got a chance to red this book...