'Philosophy is written in this great book which is continually open before our eyes - I mean the universe...' Galileo's astronomical discoveries changed the way we look at the world, and our place in the universe. Threatened by the Inquisition for daring to contradict the literal truth of the Bible, Galileo ignited a scientific revolution when he asserted that the Earth moves. This generous selection from his writings contains all the essential texts for a reader to appreciate his lasting significance. Mark Davie's new translation renders Galileo's vigorous Italian prose into clear modern English, while William R. Shea's version of the Latin Sidereal Message makes accessible the book that created a sensation in 1610 with its account of Galileo's observations using the newly invented telescope. All Galileo's contributions to the debate on science and religion are included, as well as key documents from his trial before the Inquisition in 1633. A lively introduction andclear notes give an overview of Galileo's career and explain the scientific and philosophical background to the texts.

A sidereal message -- Letters on the sunspots. First letter ; From the Third letter -- Science and religion. Letter to Don Benedetto Castelli ; Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina ; Letter from Cardinal Bellarmine to Paolo Antonio Foscarini ; Observations on the Copernican Theory -- From The assayer -- Dialogue on the two chief world systems. First day ; From the Second day ; From the Third day ; Fourth day -- The trial -- Two new sciences. From the First day -- From the Third day.