Antoni Van Leeuwenhoek: First to See Microscopic Life (Great Minds of Science) - Softcover

Yount, Lisa

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0766018660 ISBN 13: 9780766018662

Publisher: Enslow Pub Inc, 2001

Synopsis

A biography of the cloth merchant-turned-scientist who made many discoveries examining microsopic life.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-This straightforward biography presents the life and achievements of the scientist who helped revolutionize the study of microscopic life. The writing style is typical of the series, with short, simple, rather choppy sentences. Leeuwenhoek was a fascinating man, however, and his unique path to scientific fame emerges to make this a lively read despite the sometimes dull text. He was a cloth merchant early in life, but his natural curiosity led him to make his own microscopes and begin his investigations. He lacked formal scientific training, so his own words about his work are very accessible and often amusing. His experiments also had a very human, personal element, as shown in the disgust he revealed when observing lice multiply on his leg over several days. The black-and-white illustrations include some of Leeuwenhoek's own work. More illustrations and diagrams would be helpful, though, since so much of his work was based on visual elements. While the stiff narrative keeps readers at a distance, Leeuwenhoek's personality and unusual approach to science come through.
Steven Engelfried, West Linn Public Library, OR
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Enslow Pub Inc
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0766018660
• ISBN 13: 9780766018662
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 128