Archimedes and the Door of Science (Living History Library)

We used this book in our unit study on Ancient Greece. It just so happened, that during the reading, our Science lesson was on the six simple machines, a few of which Archimedes was the founder! As if all this isn't enough, my children took away with them an interesting outlook. We take the principles such as the center of gravity, buoyancy, pi, exponents, all that we know about geometry, etc. for granted. It's so much a part of our lives. This book helped us to imagine a time when these concepts were yet to be uncovered, an exciting time in the development of applied science and technology. It also helped us see Archimedes as a real man, and not just another boring scientist to learn about.

Even though my kids are homeschooled, they moan and groan about their work just like any other kids. This book was still able to capture them. It was a great selection that complemented our studies very well, and was a good investment of time and money.


An Exceptionally Written Book!   November 29, 1999
60 out of 61 found this review helpful

As a blind buy, but still needing an upper-elementary level book on Archimedes, I was more than happily surprised to see what an absolute gem this book was! Well written, easily understood, yet not too basic, the author weaves and explains scientific and mathematical principles in a story-like form that entranced my homeschooled fifth-grader. This is one he'll want to read over and over--not a book he felt he "had" to read. I highly recommend its purchase.


The Illustrated Archimedes   February 3, 2000
P. Gardner (American Fork, UT USA)
46 out of 49 found this review helpful

Not only is this book an educational and interesting read, it also inspires investigation into Archimedian principles and inventions. The drawings illustrate these scientific principles clearly. Our favorite part is when Archimedes finally makes a break through with displacement and density and runs through the streets stark naked shouting, "Eureka!"


Do Not Hesitate to Buy This Book!   September 29, 2005
CD (Texas)
41 out of 41 found this review helpful

I have had an interest in buying this book for many years. It is recommended in virtually every reputable catalog. It just always seemed like when essential schoolbooks were purchased, it didn't make sense to purchase a book about just ONE person. Well, that was a gigantic mistake on my part. The accomplishments of Archimedes made him one of the most important founders of science. This captivating book tells the story of Archimedes life AND gives vivid imagery to his accomplishments through simple, effective text and delightful illustrations. From my 3rd grader to my 10th grader, they all eagerly finished the book with enthusiastic comprehension. Of course, the "Eureka" story stood out to all, but other concepts such as levers and water displacement were covered in a way that brought clarity to those scientific principles. So this book is not about one man, but a plethora of important scientific observations.


greek scientist/Mathematician   January 2, 2000
20 out of 55 found this review helpful

Please print this, I wrote a review 12/29/99 and I don't see it in print: I read this book in Junior High School in December of 1965 ( so I guess "Archimedes was born in 287 BC in Syracuse, a little island off Sicily was given this unusual name by his family who thought it would be good. As he grew he was most thoughtful of the things around him and learned to face many problems and difficlties. He solved these problems by doing things as not much was known at that time. he was able to move a boat for King Hiero to his astonishment as he didn't actually believe that Archimedes would be successful in this endeavour. Of course, today we all know these principles, but Archimedes used the idea of pulleys and levers and was able to move the boat. We also are aware of the well known phrase "EUREKA", of course, if you are Gree, you know that it is truly To EVREEKA, which means, "I've found it!", when he displaced the water in his bathtub to measure the volume of gold to see if the goldsmith was cheating the king out of the amount of gold in his crown. This is the report I wrote on this book all those years ago in Junior High and I think I would again like to reread this book and review it now as an adult. Thanks for listening to my childhood view of this book, and thanks for printing this AMAZON.com.