I'm a high school math teacher. I love this book. IT STAYS IN MY OFFICE AT HOME because BC calculus students, as gifted as they may be, are nevertheless ill prepared to conquer this.

The student who failed to test out of Calc I and II is a lot like a lawyer who represents himself (he has a fool for a client). Students, take the risk and ASK A FEW PEOPLE WHO KNOW! We want you to succeed--especially those of us who aren't in lock-step with the dumbing down proces.

Here's the good news for this student, if (s)he actually managed to grasp just 20% of "The Principia" (s)he will absolutely fly through calc and may well walk away with a better, deeper grasp of the material than his/her teacher.

I think I read it at the right time, after I began teaching. Had I tried to read it before answering the same questions I might not have understood it enough to continue. This is THE EPOCHAL MATHEMATICAL WORK of it's century and perhaps of a few nearby ones as well! It is on par with Euclid (another amazing book that is NOT for children).

All that being said, I have no problem with highly motivated youths and super-geniuses making a go of it. I grew up in Palo Alto and went to school with all sorts of super-smart people (such Bobby Fisher's family and the children of many Stanford Professors for instance). I know that some kids can handle anything and exist WAY above their teachers. What I also know is that discovering things that are totally beyond their comprehension can be profoundly unsettling to significantly bright children (120
Instead, I advocate assigning controversial literature reports (as extra credit) and letting that drive their lit. and social studies teachers crazy! It's much more fun and we can always find tie ins to math.

Tschuss

I FINALLY UNDERSTAND CALCULUS.I RECOMMEND PEOPLE TO TAKE THEIR TIME READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE PHILOSPHY OF ISAAC NEWTON.

"I hope that, decades from now, when I and my other books have been forgotten, this will still be useful to scholars and students". So spoke Harvard University Professor I. Bernard Cohen some years before his death in 2003. His co-translator Anne Whitman had died in 1984. The translation and the extraordinary commentary is 974 pages long and took 15 years to complete. I have had this edition for many years and in reading it again I decided to write this review. I feel grateful to Cohen and Whitman for what they accomplished.

This particular edition by Cohen and Whitman of The Principia stands alone (as far as I know) in making one feel that a teacher, guide, and historian are holding your hand while exploring and understanding one of the most dramatic and powerful scientific and mathematical treatise ever written. I am surprised at some of the reviews here in that they seem to discuss the applicability or utilization of The Principia as a Physics or Math textbook. This is certainly not a textbook in the modern sense in any respect. This is not a book you would use to prepare for any normal Physics or Math examination. It must be kept in mind that this book by Newton was a human accomplishment and this particular edition with its extensive commentary by Cohen lets one be exposed to both the scientific rigor and social aspects of the world of Isaac Newton. And due to the fact of Newton's extraordinary scientific and mathematical accomplishment it caused historical alteration in the course of human events as does each great expansion of human knowledge. Sometimes when mathematical expressions and concepts of Physics are portrayed we forget that the ideas are first and foremost a human experience, it is not some distant and inscrutable theory but part of our most intimate life. We try to understand what we are and where we are. In the days of Isaac Newton Natural Philosophy was thought of as an expression and search for the truth and mathematics was sometimes able to be the handmaiden of this exploration. Unfortunately, from my point of view, philosophy has become detached from much of mathematics and this has done a disservice to both Physics, Math and what is currently thought of as Philosophy. I see no advantage in this current day separation and when immersing yourself in this edition of The Principia, there is a longing for those days now past when there was a unification of science and philosophy.
There is little reason in this review to explain the significance both mathematically and historically of the writing of Isaac Newton. Whether a student is using a conventional Physics textbook to master the understanding, laws and calculations described in The Principia or is exercising physics problems to show facility and prepare for an examination, each and every aspiring learner is obligated to master the ideas and knowledge as expressed in The Principia one way or another. Certainly our current day Physics textbooks do not teach as Isaac Newton taught and wrote. The Principia is not a book normally used to prepare for any Physics examination whether in High School or University. But the law of science and math as expressed in The Principia is as valid in general application today as it was in 1729. Our understanding of the laws of Newton as they relate to later discovered equations and expressions, including Relativity, does alters our knowledge of applicability of Newtonian physics. It does show the limitations of our belief in the immutable Laws of Nature, including those mathematical laws. In some respects radically so. So, it really depends upon the demands you put upon the math and knowledge as expressed in The Principia. Do not read Isaac Newton in the light of Albert Einstein and others. First read Newton in the light of his age, then step back and remember how we have continued along this amazing path to knowledge. So The Principia is another place in our human endeavor. This is not just a book for mathematicians. As related on pages 297 and 298 that wonderful contemporary of Newton, John Locke, without benefit of full mathematical understanding was still able to comprehend the ideas within. So will you. This is by far the best edition of The Principia I have ever read. Kenneth Ellman. ke@kennethellman.com

This book stands alone (as far as I know) in making one feel that a teacher, guide, and historian are holding your hand while exploring and understanding one of the most dramatic and powerful scientific and mathematical treatise ever written. I am surprised at some of the reviews here in that they seem to discuss the applicability or utilization of The Principia as a Physics or Math textbook. This is certainly not a textbook in the modern sense in any respect. This is not a book you would use to prepare for any normal Physics or Math examination. It must be kept in mind that this book by Newton was a human accomplishment and this particular edition with its extensive commentary by Cohen lets one be exposed to both the scientific rigor and social aspects of the world of Isaac Newton. And due to the fact of Newton's extraordinary scientific and mathematical accomplishment it caused historical alteration in the course of human events as does each great expansion of human knowledge. Sometimes when mathematical expressions and concepts of Physics are portrayed we forget that the ideas are first and foremost a human experience, it is not some distant and inscrutable theory but part of our most intimate life. We try to understand what we are and where we are. In the days of Isaac Newton Natural Philosophy was thought of as an expression and search for the truth and mathematics was sometimes able to be the handmaiden of this exploration. Unfortunately, from my point of view, philosophy has become detached from much of mathematics and this has done a disservice to both Physics, Math and what is currently thought of as Philosophy. I see no advantage in this current day separation and when immersing yourself in this edition of The Principia, there is a longing for those days now past when there was a unification of science and philosophy.
There is little reason in this review to explain the significance both mathematically and historically of the writing of Isaac Newton. Whether a student is using a conventional Physics textbook to master the understanding, laws and calculations described in The Principia or is exercising physics problems to show facility and prepare for an examination, each and every aspiring learner is obligated to master the ideas and knowledge as expressed in The Principia one way or another. Certainly our current day Physics textbooks do not teach as Isaac Newton taught and wrote. The Principia is not a book normally used to prepare for any Physics examination whether in High School or University. But the law of science and math as expressed in The Principia is as valid in general application today as it was in 1729. Our understanding of the laws of Newton as they relate to later discovered equations and expressions, including Relativity, does alters our knowledge of applicability of Newtonian physics. It does show the limitations of our belief in the immutable Laws of Nature, including those mathematical laws. In some respects radically so. So, it really depends upon the demands you put upon the math and knowledge as expressed in The Principia. Do not read Isaac Newton in the light of Albert Einstein and others. First read Newton in the light of his age, then step back and remember how we have continued along this amazing path to knowledge. So The Principia is another place in our human endeavor. This is not just a book for mathematicians. As related on pages 297 and 298 that wonderful contemporary of Newton, John Locke, without benefit of full mathematical understanding was still able to comprehend the ideas within. So will you. This is by far the best edition of The Principia I have ever read. Kenneth Ellman. ke@kennethellman.com

At least if you read this book, you will know where it all started. Nothing more than basic calculus and mechanics is required, but the book is still tough going for those of us who aren't physics studs. The style is archaic, and Newton even includes the occasional theological comment (for example, in one of the Lemma's he refers to God as "an infinite and elastic spirit)." But for those with the patience, determination, and discipline to make it to the end, you can pride yourself on having read one of the most important founding works of modern science, and perhaps the most important and revolutionary single science book ever written.

My edition of this book was part of the famous Great Books of the Western World set, and it was one of my favorites. The only work in the set to require any higher math, there is no doubt it had to be included in the set because of it's importance. But unfortunately I suspect it's the most neglected work in the entire set of 54 volumes and over 300 works because of the level of technical difficulty.

At least if you read this book, you will know where it all started. Nothing more than basic calculus and mechanics is required, but the book is still tough going for those of us who aren't physics studs. The style is archaic, and Newton even includes the occasional theological comment (for example, in one of the Lemma's he refers to God as "an infinite and elastic spirit)." But for those with the patience, determination, and discipline to make it to the end, you can pride yourself on having read one of the most important founding works of modern science, and perhaps the most important and revolutionary single science book ever written.

My edition of this book was part of the famous Great Books of the Western World set, and it was one of my favorites. The only work in the set to require any higher math, there is no doubt it had to be included in the set because of it's importance. But unfortunately I suspect it's the most neglected work in the entire set because of the level of difficulty.

I am writing my dissertation on Newton and have found this translation incredibly helpful and surprisingly readable.

The Principia is one of the most difficult and inaccessible books ever written -- so much so, in fact that even John Locke (himself a pretty smart guy) had to ask Christian Huygens to explain much of it to him. This difficulty was intentional, because Newton did not want people who only understood math a little to try and undermine his arguments. For this reason, he rewrote book three so that only those who had read and understood book 1 could understand its concepts.

People laugh when I tell then that I own a book with a three hundred page introduction, but it's a book that needs a three hundred page intro. In their intro, Cohen and whitman describe the history of the principia, its structure, an explanation of where prior translations have fallen short, and -- most importantly -- note which of the Principia's sections have been most significant during and after Newton's time. This is helpful so that when you get to each section, you are more likely to notice which elements may have seemed most controversial, where he is taking down Descartes' vortices, etc. I'm not saying I agree 100% with cohen and whitman on all of their points, but they have produced a work that does not simply translate the book; it also shares the writers' substantial knowledge about the principia.

This is an essential and monumental translation. If you are at all interested in early modern science, you must own it.

Newton is largely considered to be the smartest person that ever lived. Every scientist that came after him gave credit due like no other in the realm of science. Einstein was the first to give him a little spanking but then Einstein himself knew that Newton had bested him by simply being the first to describe the known universe precisely using mathematics and even developed several new forms of mathematics like calculus in the process.

Newton had mostly abandoned God after reading Descartes who had introduced the criteria for rational mindedness in mathematics. Newton chose Plato's view of looking to the heavens while Aristotle's pointed to the earth. Since Descartes followed more along Aristotle's line of thought Newton was able to objectively criticise Descartes, but absorbed his mode of thinking. Descartes believed in a God but Newton simply adopted his own mode of atheism to limit himself to just the scientific environment.

Newton was a secret heretic early on in his life and refused to take the sacrament on his deathbed to confirm his disbelief but only at the very end, he never made it public. There is no question how his personal atheistic views had an impact on what was to be the first model of our solar system explained mathematically. He needed to work on a Sunday and simply pushed all forms of religion out the door from that moment on. While Newton (head of Trinity College) had rejected the Trinity he still maintained that he studied the scriptures when pressed on this point. He often used the example of the quest for God as a case for how he was able to describe the creator's creation. However Newton was describing a world in which there was no need to use God in order to explain anything anymore and was all too aware of this. That is why this work is called "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy". To say that Newton believed in God as in the Jewish-Christian one would be absurd in light of his rational discoveries. If he believed in a God then it was the one he could explain with his maths.

Newton's work was to such perfection that it took a hundred and fifty years for Einstein to produce the evolutionary next leap into theoretical physics.

Newton explained the known universe completely mathematically. He created a way of thinking it exactly into mathematical equations. You could imagine a map of the solar system in 3D with every line of conceivable important calculation made. Like a chronicle math book reference table for the universe. This is exactly what he did given the near exact measurements on everything observable, how they moved and why. In doing so he implied gravity and explained it perfectly well enough for it to be made understood by anyone who subscribed to this whole new body of science he proposed and that is exactly what he did. You either subscribed to Newton or you got off the science boat.

Einstein understood Newton. Understanding Newton is a wholesome endeavour for anyone interested in understanding the world and how it works. It is actually quite easy to understand what you need to do. Doing it is a whole other thing.

You must start by preparing yourself for teaching yourself mathematics.

Good news is that Newton was completely self-educated and gives anyone an example of being able to do this in a year with absolutely committal.

Geometry is an essential basic to grasp. You could do as Newton and read Euclid's Elementals now. If it is too hard then try some easy modern Geometry pre-calculus books. Once you understand all this then you will be in need to do some basic Calculus because this is exactly what Newton uses in his Principia which is described in a pre-Calculus and Calculus. This is classic physics becoming natural physics. By relating mathematics to the universe and nature, Newton describes the universe. Here is that description in mathematics.

Newton's turning point came when he had already divulged important classics such as numbering, arithmetic, geometry, Pythagoras, squaring the circle problem, sun dials, fireworks, drawing, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Tyco, Galileo and Descartes. Anyone can learn and understand Ptolemy and Copernicus. These are just models trying to be more exact, one with the Earth at the centre of the universe and sun in the other. Kepler predicted orbital motions more precisely while Tyco noted the heavens could be proven to change. Galileo ignored them all, got wealthy of telescopes and lawyers and subjected the public to ridicule under the banner of scientific scrutiny and scepticism which challenged the Church. Descartes is the philosopher who brings us the mechanical world without a soul where we can perform vivisections because animals have no souls, a doctor is just a mechanic and all living things are just intricate machines.

Newton decided that Galileo's mathematics was good enough to allow him to explain to himself what there heavens are and let the Church teach everyone else how to get to heaven. This is the frame of mind which led him to study mathematics in a quest to build a model of the universe. He does this with Euclid's Geometry, Schooten, Oughtred, Wallis and Descartes.

[...]

Newton is largely considered to be the smartest person that ever lived. Every scientist that came after him gave credit due like no other in the realm of science. Einstein was the first to give him a little spanking but then Einstein himself knew that Newton had bested him by simply being the first to describe the known universe precisely using mathematics and even developed several new forms of mathematics like calculus in the process.

Newton had mostly abandoned God after reading Descartes who had introduced the criteria for rational mindedness in mathematics. Newton chose Aristotle's view of looking to the heavens while Plato pointed to the earth. Since Descartes followed more along Plato's line of thought Newton was able to objectively criticise Descartes, but absorbed his mode of thinking. Descartes believed in a God but Newton simply adopted his own mode of atheism to limit himself to just the scientific environment.

Newton was a secret heretic early on in his life and refused to take the sacrament on his deathbed to confirm his disbelief but only at the every end, he never made it public. There is no question how his personal atheistic views had an impact on what was to be the first model of our solar system explained mathematically. He needed to work on a Sunday and simply pushed all forms of religion out the door from that moment on. While Newton (head of Trinity College) had rejected the Trinity he still maintained that he studied the scriptures when pressed on this point. He often used the example of the quest for God as a case for how he was able to describe the creator's creation. However Newton was describing a world in which there was no need to use God in order to explain anything anymore and was all too aware of this. That is why this work is called "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy". To say that Newton believed in God as in the Jewish-Christian one would be absurd in light of his rational discoveries. If he believed in a God then it was the one he could explain with his maths.

Newton's work was to such perfection that it took a hundred and fifty years for Einstein to produce the evolutionary next leap into theoretical physics.

Newton explained the known universe completely mathematically. He created a way of thinking it exactly into mathematical equations. You could imagine a map of the solar system in 3D with every line of conceivable important calculation made. Like a chronicle math book reference table for the universe. This is exactly what he did given the near exact measurements on everything observable, how they moved and why. In doing so he implied gravity and explained it perfectly well enough for it to be made understood by anyone who subscribed to this whole new body of science he proposed and that is exactly what he did. You either subscribed to Newton or you got off the science boat.

Einstein understood Newton. Understanding Newton is a wholesome endeavour for anyone interested in understanding the world and how it works. It is actually quite easy to understand what you need to do. Doing it is a whole other thing.

You must start by preparing yourself for teaching yourself mathematics.

Good news is that Newton was completely self-educated and gives anyone an example of being able to do this in a year with absolutely committal.

Geometry is an essential basic to grasp. You could do as Newton and read Euclid's Elementals now. If it is too hard then try some easy modern Geometry pre-calculus books. Once you understand all this then you will be in need to do some basic Calculus because this is exactly what Newton uses in his Principia which is described in a pre-Calculus and Calculus. This is classic physics becoming natural physics. By relating mathematics to the universe and nature, Newton describes the universe. Here is that description in mathematics.

Newton's turning point came when he had already divulged important classics such as numbering, arithmetic, geometry, Pythagoras, squaring the circle problem, sun dials, fireworks, drawing, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Tyco, Galileo and Descartes. Anyone can learn and understand Ptolemy and Copernicus. These are just models trying to be more exact, one with the Earth at the centre of the universe and sun in the other. Kepler predicted orbital motions more precisely while Tyco noted the heavens could be proven to change. Galileo ignored them all, got wealthy of telescopes and lawyers and subjected the public to ridicule under the banner of scientific scrutiny and scepticism which challenged the Church. Descartes is the philosopher who brings us the mechanical world without a soul where we can perform vivisections because animals have no souls, a doctor is just a mechanic and all living things are just intricate machines.

Newton decided that Galileo's mathematics was good enough to allow him to explain to himself what there heavens are and let the Church teach everyone else how to get to heaven. This is the frame of mind which led him to study mathematics in a quest to build a model of the universe. He does this with Euclid's Geometry, Schooten, Oughtred, Wallis and Descartes.

And that is Newton in a nutshell and what this work actually is... the Bible of How the Heaven's Work.

Newton is largely considered to be the smartest person that ever lived. Every scientist that came after him gave credit due like no other in the realm of science. Einstein was the first to give him a little spanking but then Einstein himself knew that Newton had bested him by simply being the first to describe the known universe precisely using mathematics and even developed several new forms of mathematics like calculus in the process.

Newton had mostly abandoned God after reading Descartes who had introduced the criteria for rational mindedness in mathematics. Newton chose Aristotle's view of looking to the heavens while Plato pointed to the earth. Since Descartes followed more along Plato's line of thought Newton was able to objectively criticise Descartes, but absorbed his mode of thinking. Descartes believed in a God but Newton simply adopted his own mode of atheism to limit himself to just the scientific environment.

Newton was a secret heretic early on in his life and refused to take the sacrament on his deathbed to confirm his disbelief but only at the every end, he never made it public. There is no question how his personal atheistic views had an impact on what was to be the first model of our solar system explained mathematically. He needed to work on a Sunday and simply pushed all forms of religion out the door from that moment on. While Newton (head of Trinity College) had rejected the Trinity he still maintained that he studied the scriptures when pressed on this point. He often used the example of the quest for God as a case for how he was able to describe the creator's creation. However Newton was describing a world in which there was no need to use God in order to explain anything anymore and was all too aware of this. That is why this work is called "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy". To say that Newton believed in God as in the Jewish-Christian one would be absurd in light of his rational discoveries. If he believed in a God then it was the one he could explain with his maths.

Newton's work was to such perfection that it took a hundred and fifty years for Einstein to produce the evolutionary next leap into theoretical physics.

Newton explained the known universe completely mathematically. He created a way of thinking it exactly into mathematical equations. You could imagine a map of the solar system in 3D with every line of conceivable important calculation made. Like a chronicle math book reference table for the universe. This is exactly what he did given the near exact measurements on everything observable, how they moved and why. In doing so he implied gravity and explained it perfectly well enough for it to be made understood by anyone who subscribed to this whole new body of science he proposed and that is exactly what he did. You either subscribed to Newton or you got off the science boat.

Einstein understood Newton. Understanding Newton is a wholesome endeavour for anyone interested in understanding the world and how it works. It is actually quite easy to understand what you need to do. Doing it is a whole other thing.

You must start by preparing yourself for teaching yourself mathematics.

Good news is that Newton was completely self-educated and gives anyone an example of being able to do this in a year with absolutely committal.

Geometry is an essential basic to grasp. You could do as Newton and read Euclid's Elementals now. If it is too hard then try some easy modern Geometry pre-calculus books. Once you understand all this then you will be in need to do some basic Calculus because this is exactly what Newton uses in his Principia which is described in a pre-Calculus and Calculus. This is classic physics becoming natural physics. By relating mathematics to the universe and nature, Newton describes the universe. Here is that description in mathematics.

Newton's turning point came when he had already divulged important classics such as numbering, arithmetic, geometry, Pythagoras, squaring the circle problem, sun dials, fireworks, drawing, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Tyco, Galileo and Descartes. Anyone can learn and understand Ptolemy and Copernicus. These are just models trying to be more exact, one with the Earth at the centre of the universe and sun in the other. Kepler predicted orbital motions more precisely while Tyco noted the heavens could be proven to change. Galileo ignored them all, got wealthy of telescopes and lawyers and subjected the public to ridicule under the banner of scientific scrutiny and scepticism which challenged the Church. Descartes is the philosopher who brings us the mechanical world without a soul where we can perform vivisections because animals have no souls, a doctor is just a mechanic and all living things are just intricate machines.

Newton decided that Galileo's mathematics was good enough to allow him to explain to himself what there heavens are and let the Church teach everyone else how to get to heaven. This is the frame of mind which led him to study mathematics in a quest to build a model of the universe. He does this with Euclid's Geometry, Schooten, Oughtred, Wallis and Descartes.

And that is Newton in a nutshell and what this work actually is... the Bible of How the Heaven's Work.

Newton is largely considered to be the smartest person that ever lived. Every scientist that came after him gave credit due like no other in the realm of science. Einstein was the first to give him a little spanking but then Einstein himself knew that Newton had bested him by simply being the first to describe the known universe precisely using mathematics and even developed several new forms of mathematics like calculus in the process.

Newton had abandoned God after reading Descartes who had introduced the criteria of rational mindedness being related to only the perceivable objective universe. Newton chose Aristotle's view of looking to the heavens while Plato pointed to the earth. Since Descartes followed more along Plato's line of thought Newton was able to objectively criticise Descartes, but absorbed his mode of thinking and adopted his mode of atheism.

Newton was a secret heretic early on in his life and refused to take the sacrament on his deathbed to confirm his disbelief but only at the every end, he never made it public. There is no question how his atheism had an impact on what was to be the first model of our solar system explained mathematically. He needed to work on a Sunday and simply pushed all forms of religion out the door from that moment on. While Newton (head of Trinity College) had rejected the Trinity he still maintained that he studied the scriptures when pressed on this point. He often used the example of the quest for God as a case for how he was able to describe the creator's creation. However Newton was describing a world in which there was no need to use God in order to explain anything anymore and was all too aware of this. That is why this work is called "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy". To say that Newton believed in God as in the Jewish-Christian one would be absurd in light of his rational discoveries. If he believed in a God then it was the one he could explain with his maths.

Newton's work was to such perfection that it took a hundred and fifty years for Einstein to produce the evolutionary next leap into theoretical physics.

Newton explained the known universe completely mathematically. He created a way of thinking it exactly into mathematical equations. You could imagine a map of the solar system in 3D with every line of conceivable important calculation made. Like a chronicle math book reference table for the universe. This is exactly what he did given the near exact measurements on everything observable, how they moved and why. In doing so he implied gravity and explained it perfectly well enough for it to be made understood by anyone who subscribed to this whole new body of science he proposed and that is exactly what he did. You either subscribed to Newton or you got off the science boat.

Einstein understood Newton. Understanding Newton is a wholesome endeavour for anyone interested in understanding the world and how it works. It is actually quite easy to understand what you need to do. Doing it is a whole other thing.

You must start by preparing yourself for teaching yourself mathematics.

Good news is that Newton was completely self-educated and gives anyone an example of being able to do this in a year with absolutely committal.

Geometry is an essential basic to grasp. You could do as Newton and read Euclid's Elementals now. If it is too hard then try some easy modern Geometry pre-calculus books. Once you understand all this then you will be in need to do some basic Calculus because this is exactly what Newton uses in his Principia which is described in a pre-Calculus and Calculus. This is classic physics becoming natural physics. By relating mathematics to the universe and nature, Newton describes the universe. Here is that description in mathematics.

Newton's turning point came when he had already divulged important classics such as numbering, arithmetic, geometry, Pythagoras, squaring the circle problem, sun dials, fireworks, drawing, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Tyco, Galileo and Descartes. Anyone can learn and understand Ptolemy and Copernicus. These are just models trying to be more exact, one with the Earth at the centre of the universe and sun in the other. Kepler predicted orbital motions more precisely while Tyco noted the heavens could be proven to change. Galileo ignored them all, got wealthy of telescopes and lawyers and subjected the public to ridicule under the banner of scientific scrutiny and scepticism which challenged the Church. Descartes is the philosopher who brings us the mechanical world without a soul where we can perform vivisections because animals have no souls, a doctor is just a mechanic and all living things are just intricate machines.

Newton decided that Galileo's mathematics was good enough to allow him to explain to himself what there heavens are and let the Church teach everyone else how to get to heaven. This is the frame of mind which led him to study mathematics in a quest to build a model of the universe. He does this with Euclid's Geometry, Schooten, Oughtred, Wallis and Descartes.

And that is Newton in a nutshell and what this work actually is... the Bible of How the Heaven's Work.

Newton is largely considered to be the smartest person that ever lived. Every scientist that came after him gave credit due like no other in the realm of science. Einstein was the first to give him a little spanking but then Einstein himself knew that Newton had bested him by simply being the first to draw the universe precisely using mathematics and even developed several new forms of mathematics like calculus in the process.

Newton had abandoned God after reading Descartes who had introduced the criteria of rational mindedness being related to only the perceivable objective universe. Newton chose Aristotle's view of looking to the heavens while Plato pointed to the earth. Since Descartes followed more along Plato's line of thought Newton was able to objectively criticise Descartes, but absorbed his mode of thinking and adopted atheism. Newton was a secret heretic early on in his life and refused to take the sacrament on his deathbed to confirm his disbelief but only at the every end, he never made it public.

There is no question how his atheism had an impact on what was to be the first model of our solar system explained mathematically. He needed to work on a Sunday and simply pushed all forms of religion out the door from that moment on.

Newton's work was to such perfection that it took a hundred and fifty years for Einstein to produce the evolutionary next leap into theoretical physics.

Newton explained the known universe completely mathematically. He created a way of thinking it exactly into mathematical equations. You could imagine a map of the solar system in 3D with lines everywhere. This is exactly what he did given the near exact measurements on everything observable, how they moved and why. In doing so he implied gravity and explained it perfectly well enough for it to be made understood by anyone who subscribed to this whole new body of science he proposed.

Einstein understood Newton. Understanding Newton is a wholesome endeavour for anyone interested in understanding the world and how it works. It is actually quite easy to understand what you need to do. Doing it is a whole other thing.

You must start by preparing yourself for teaching yourself mathematics.

Good news is that Newton was completely self-educated and gives anyone an example of being able to do this in a year with absolutely committal.

Geometry is an essential basic to grasp. You could do as Newton and read Euclid's Elementals now. If it is too hard then try some easy modern Geometry pre-calculus books. Once you understand all this then you will be in need to do some basic Calculus because this is exactly what Newton uses in his Principia which is described in a pre-Calculus and Calculus. This is classic physics becoming natural physics. By relating mathematics to the universe and nature, Newton describes the universe. Here is that description in mathematics.

Newton's turning point came when he had already divulged important classics such as numbering, arithmetic, geometry, Pythagoras, squaring the circle problem, sun dials, fireworks, drawing, Ptolemy, Copernicus, Kepler, Tyco, Galileo and Descartes. Anyone can learn and understand Ptolemy and Copernicus. These are just models trying to be more exact, one with the Earth at the centre of the universe and sun in the other. Kepler predicted orbital motions more precisely while Tyco noted the heavens could be proven to change. Galileo ignored them all, got wealthy of telescopes and lawyers and subjected the public to ridicule under the banner of scientific scrutiny and scepticism which challenged the Church. Descartes is the philosopher who brings us the mechanical world without a soul where we can perform vivisections because animals have no souls, a doctor is just a mechanic and all living things are just intricate machines.

Newton decided that Galileo's mathematics was good enough to allow him to explain to himself what there heavens are and let the Church teach everyone else how to get to heaven. This is the frame of mind which led him to study mathematics in a quest to build a model of the universe. He does this with Euclid's Geometry, Schooten, Oughtred, Wallis and Descartes.

And that is Newton in a nutshell and what this work actually is. The Bible of How the Heaven's Work.

What I have to say is Newton.... What else are you lookin for in a Physics book. Ohh yeah the only problem it has that its size is such a college book(huge), and it is not hard cover.

This is one of the clearest books written on the Principia. There were two things that I highly disliked: (1) it seems to be written through the eyes of admirers of Newton as they sometimes end up with empty reasons to justify Newton even in cases where Newton didn't have much to stand on (see their discussion on Newton's defintion of mass, for example) (2) there is no subject index in this almost a 1000 page book.
On a side note: modern physics is in no way Newtonian; only our instincts are. But mordern physics has evolved from Newton (and some other physicits too) and studying their basic notions is essential to having a deep understanding of modern physics. Is this book the best place to do this? Thats something only the reader him/herself can answer.

This is one of the clearest books written on the Principia. There were two things that I highly disliked: (1) it seems to be written through the eyes of admirers of Newton as they sometimes end up with empty reasons to justify Newton even in cases where Newton didn't have much to stand on (see their discussion on Newton's defintion of mass, for example) (2) there is no subject index in this almost a 1000 page book.

Principia explains with great detail some elements of Eucledian geometry, Calculus, Fluid mechanics, Three laws of Gravity and The Method of the Universe. Newtons three hundred year old advice remains true today to read Book One and Three while skipping Book Two altogether. I can honestly say that subject is not too difficult but is guilty of being well conceived but poorly worded. The latter was Newtons own intention to make its reading very exclusive and making him less vunerable to his contemporary critiques. This version has the diagrams illustrated on multiple pages for each Scholium to avoid the constant turning of its pages. I advice a slow read of Book 1 and 3. The last Scholium of Book 3 is the best discussion as to the existance of God that I have read. Long live the spirits of Shakespeare, Newton, Vermeer and Beethoven.

The Principia is the basis for much of modern science. It is swallowed hook, line and sinker by mathematicians and people in physics as a 'holy grail.' It is a continuation of very old fashioned thinking, hooked on 'cause and effect' relationships, Aristotelian in nature. One would think that modern science could see through this veil of antiquity, but seemingly has not yet had the courage to do so.

It is essential reading, however, so see how far 'science' has not moved for nearly 400 years.

This particular translation is of interest in that half of the book tries to explain and support the original text. Bit too hard of a sell to justify Newton's arguments. Again, it is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the flaws of modern 'science.'

This is a wonderful reference, but frankly, it was overwhelming for me. Let's just say that while the first two sections of this book were clear, informative, meticulously and thoroughly footnoted and annotated, the last section-- the actual translation-- proved beyond my abilities. I'd HIGHLY recommend a college-level geometry course before attempting to read the actual translation of Newton's revolutionary work.

Frankly, the combination of archaic verbiage (Cohen kept a number of obsolescent terms in translating from the original Latin), combined with a predominately narrative style (reading in an entire paragraph what can in modern mathematical symbology be articulated in a single line) combined with my lack of working analytic geometry enabled me to follow this seminal work conceptually, but not in detail. Other reviwers have suggested that a working knowledge of calculus and Newtonian physics is required. I disagree. To follow Newton's proofs in detail, it is Euclidean geometry that is required. Newton's Principia CONCEPTUALLY utilizes calculus, but the proofs themselves are Euclidean with the concept of "infinitisimally small" added to the equation. I have single- and multi-variable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations (first-, second-order, and partial), and graduate-level statistics under my belt. Junior high school geometry is insufficient to understand his work. So far, I am studying tensors, differential geometry/exterior calculus with respect to gravitation physics without too much difficuly. Geometry!

Otherwise, this book was wonderful. Section One is a thoroughly researched historical background. Social setting, scientific thought at the time, the controversies of the times, historical perspective, insights into Newton himself. Wonderfully referenced and annotated.

Section Two is a clear "How to Read" section-- discussing section by section of the Principia what the main concepts and issues are, even critiquing Newton's flaws and obvious attempts to fill in gaps or alter data when existing data were insufficient to his theories! Cohen even guides us step-by-step through some of the more important proofs in the Principia-- proofs that for the most part I followed, except for certain geometric assumptions that I had to assume were true.

My fascination has always been relativity... which I am working on understanding now. When finished, I may read a college-level text in analytic geometry, then come back to this. But I was impressed by the sheer breadth of conceptual material Newton covered. Certainly entitling his last book of The Principia "The System of the World" was justified.

When not using this book as a reference, I often use it to exercise. Seriously, the translation from the original Latin has finally paid off. This book is an important part of science and history. One can get into the thought processes of Newton with this book. Having read other translations, I must say that this one is by far the best.

[...]
It was very difficult to grasp in Latin (I've had a try on it),
not that much easy in the Motte facsimile translation (I can assure it), and the Cajori-Motte edition was only half modernized and otherwise flawed.

This edition, sponsored by I.B. Cohen (the Latin editor) gives us a fresh, modern English translation of the text, and -almost as thick- a guide to using and reading this all-important book, which is not -as everybody is aware- an easy reader. One word of caution: Newton was, of course, (pace Leibnitz) the discoverer of calculus, but he doesn't use it here, but "more geometrico"
rigorous proofs, much in the style of that other genius of all ages, Archimedes. If you need help grasping the contents and impact of this work, then you must get some book like DENSMORE, D., Newton's Principia: The Central Argument (other auxiliary books are commented in the Guide potion of the book I'm reviewing).

Among a very select few others including the Bible and the Code of Hammurabi, this is one of the most important books ever written. This is where Isaac Newton first publicly put forth the calculus and the scientific method. A tremendous intellectual rupture that we are still dealing with, this book was indirectly responsible for historical shifts such as the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. No mean feat.

The Principa is not an introductory calculus for the modern reader. It is written in Newton's own notational style. This style is different from the modern one, used in calculus today. The modern calculus notation system was devised by Leibniz. Newton's system of notation proved less useful than Leibniz's, and the better one has won out. Leibniz had independently discovered the calculus prior to the publication of Principia. Thus, Leibniz was not influenced by Newton's notational style. Leibniz's discovery of the calculus was made in secret on the continent several years after Newton had made his own secret discovery of it in Britain. Leibniz's work was published only after Newton's Principia was published. This led Newton to wrongly believe that his work had been stolen. An epic debate between the British and continental academies ensued with each side championing their man.

This book has enormous historical interest. For a person who is already educated in calculus, this book will take you to the source of the subject matter, the mouth of the Nile, so to speak. As for the scientific method, this is where it was conceived.

There's no point in me critiquing the Principia itself--it's been done hundreds of times--so I'll focus on the translation.

The translation follows the original Latin work rather closely; about as closely as the older Motte-Cajoli translation, in fact. However, the translators have modernized the terminology, fixed many errors, and put many awkward Latin formulations into a modern mathematical notation.

But, generally speaking, the text still feels 1670's-ish. I, unfortunately, was looking for a much looser translation, into a thorougly modern mathematical style. I was more interested in understanding Newton's mathematical thought process than his writing style (which in Latin wasn't quite as pleasant as it was in English).

So, to readers looking for a throroughly modern mathematical style, this isn't it. However, I believe this is still the most modern English translation there is.

Apart from my particular wants, however, I found this translation to be very well done. The translators included a detailed description of their rationale.

As a mechanical engineer, where this work is the ultimate foundation of everything I do, I am very happy to own it.

Forgive me first of all for even attempting this review of "The Principia"...but would any of you attempt to even review the Bible, the Quran or the Bhagvad Gita...??? The Principia is something that should be worshipped not as the work of a mere mortal, but that of the greatest genius of all time... this was the pinnacle of thought, and none since Newton's time has come even close to matching his scientific prowess...forget Einstein, even he did not consider himself worthy of comparison with Newton, for Newton was a theoretician par experimentor par excellence...(Einstein was often apalled by his own poor ability to experiment)..

Here was where Newton introduced his theory of gravity and theory of light and his version of the Calculus...but a word of caution...be afraid, DO NOT attempt to learn these subjects from this book...the real purpose of this book is this...to hold it in your hand's and dissolve into tears as you read the mind of the man who came closest to reading God's thoughts...when, years later, Newton was asked how he hit upon his ideas, he replied "By thinking upon them " !! How very helpful, eh..??

Buy this book, treasure it, read it if you can, and all the while, remember Alexander Pope's words:
"Nature and Nature's laws
lay hid in the night;
God said 'Let Newton be !',
And all was light !"

Hi, folks. I suffered through college math all the way through differential equations, and I never really "got" it. I just memorized the steps and, when exam time rolled around, hoped I could remember which procedure went with which problem. The light finally came on in grad school, and _Principia_ was the switch. Reading the _Principia_ let me get underneath formal calculus and imbued it with a sense of wonder and soul. To see the theory set out step-by-step, to follow with Newton as he envisioned a new way of painting the world, gave me the ability to internalize the calculus, to say, finally, "Yes, that's intuitively right." I wish I'd read the _Principia_ much earlier in my education. It would have saved me a lot of pain.

I don't think anymore words needed to describe this greatest work of all time! Pricipia is difficult to read, that is no doubt. But the impact of this book and its consequent influence to our world will never and never be overestimated. With the advent of Principia, our world will never be the same again! Even with the advent of relativity, I don't think there is hardly any scratch on this book. As the activities of our daily living and even in astronomical field, except when the speed of an object is approaching light, Newton's law is still the prime theory to govern it! Actually this book should be rated as 10 stars! In fact this book needs not to be rated!!!!

This is the third time I have read the PRINCIPIA. Every time I come back with even greater awe and respect for this masterpiece.

Friends, this is a classic work. Reading this book and digesting the material is an experience you will never forget. Just imagine. Three hundred and some years ago Newton came up with the theory of fluxions (Calculus), the theory of light, the theory of gravitation, and much more. Then reading about it in his own words (here translated from the original Latin); is very humbling and awe inspiring.

A word of caution. The writing is turgid in keeping with the times and because it is a translation. Also, if you are not familiar with calculus or basic classical mechanics the material will require an extra effort on your part. This is NOT a easy read. Therefore, take your time reading this book. Maybe even a chapter a week. After the initial inconveniences believe me you will not regret it. You will be inspired and plain surprised that this jewel of knowledge is so affordable to us today.

No work of human imagination compares with The Principia. Written over three hundred years ago, the laws contained within concerning motion and gravitation remain as basic today as they were when Newton first construed them. While the quantum has allowed us to advance atomic and sub-atomic theories to levels recreating the first moments of the universe, the force that holds us all together, that binds every particle to every other, cannot be more simply described than how Newton first postulated it. It was, and is, an awesome achievement.

If we are endowed with any ability that marks us as "human," than it must be the curiosity and imagination that allows us to contemplate the Mind of God. The workings of this God, as Newton understood Him, could be seen in all His creation, and was indistinguishable from Truth. Newton's attempts to understand that Truth came as close as anyone's, yet his assessment of his own efforts leave the rest of us with pathetic humility:

"I don't know what I may seem to the world, but as to myself, I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea shore, and diverting myself in now and then in finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me."

I pity those people who lack the humanity to appreciate, much less understand, Newton's contribution to mankind. But then, perhaps they, like children building castles of sand in the receding tide, can only look up to the magnificence around them when it finally threatens to overwhelm them.

I am responding to the person who wrote the second review, the student who decided to use this book to study for an exam in basic calculus. What are you, crazy? Why would ANYONE think they could learn "baby calc" from the great book in which Newton elucidated his theory of the universe!? Did you think about asking anyone, first? I'm a college math prof and my guess is that ANY math teacher would have suggested you study from a modern, elementary calc book, instead. (Then you make matters worse by giving the book a bad review!) At any rate, if you would like a good, modern translation of Newton's Principia, this is the place to go. You really should know some calc and basic mechanics, however - remember, this book, was written by one of the greatest minds in the human history, and it was NOT meant to be a textbook for the novice. Please do not let review # 2 steer you away..........

I've seen bad reviews for master works of science in the past. Mostly they claim these books are either not clear or impossible to understand. Don't buy this book for the purpose of learning Classical Mechanics or Calculus from it, but for the scientific curiosity of learning how the great Isaac Newton presented his revolutionary scientific ideas to the world. Of course, it is difficult to read. This is a translation of a book written in Latin more than 300 years ago!

This book is a jewel. Just like the original works of Einstein, Maxwell, Heisenberg, Schroedinger and all those giants. Many of the ideas presented in the book were written for the first time in history and probably they are not organized in a didactic form. The person buying this book should not expect to find a clear textbook when originally it was not written for the layman, but for the expert scientific community of its time. Buy this book, sit back, scan through it, and enjoy a true piece of history.

I read this book prior to taking test my school offered to "pass-out" of Calculus I and II. I assumed that this would be the best source since Newton is said to have invented Calculus in this book. I never saw it. I spent three weeks trying to cram this book, and I did not come close to passing the standardized exam. The test didn't resemble this book at all.

If you need to learn Calculus or Physics, stick with a recently written book. If you need to learn some archaic way of expressing simple ideas, then this is the book for you.

I'm now a second year medical student and I still don't know why I had to learn all that math. Nor do I know why I ever bothered to read this book. It turns out Physics and Calculus are really really simple things, but not if taught by Newton.

This book is simply excellent if you really like Newton�s work and its importance for physics. Written in good English, the book is a pathway to understand Newton�s mind and why his work was revolutionary. However, it is a good idea to have previous knowledge about classical mechanics.

This book is simply excellent if you really like Newton's work and its importance for physics. Written in good English, the book is a pathway to understand Newton's mind and why his work was revolutionary. However, it is a good idea to have previous knowledge about classical mechanics.