Editorials
Children's Literature -
Right now many schools and libraries have an acute need for books accurately portraying Arab history and culture. Fortunately, Steffen's biography of the remarkable medieval scientist-philosopher Ibn al-Haytham goes a long way towards filling that need. Born in the city of Basra, Iraq, in 965 A.D., Ibn al-Haytham grew up in an intellectually vibrant and ethnically mixed society. Though a devout Muslim, he was also an avid student of Greek philosophy. An encounter with Aristotle's works as a student led him to believe that physical science and mathematics were as valuable in unlocking the mysteries of the universe as theology. Throughout his life he devised various experiments to test his observations of the physical world. Though his conclusions were not always correct, he did make some amazing discoveries related to the study of vision. His Book of Optics, written between 1011 and 1021, still stands as a classic example of the scientific method at work. Steffens deftly weaves an overview of Muslim history into this biography. His explanation of the differences between Shi'ah and Sunnah Muslims is especially welcome in the light of recent history. Some might quibble with his contention that Ibn al-Haytham was the world's first scientist, an accolade that has often gone to others, notably Aristotle himself. No one, however, can dispute Ibn al-Haytham's unique contributions to science in both Islam and western culture. A time line and bibliography are included. Numerous illustrations from Arab and European sources enhance the text. This book is part of Morgan Reynold's "Profiles in Science" series. It would make an excellent supplement to units about world history and the historyof science.School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up
A profile of a mathematician, physicist, and astronomer born in Basra, in what is now Iraq, in 965 C.E. The text vacillates between relating the life of this multifaceted scientist and digressing into lengthy accounts about the time in which he lived. The opening chapter describes the Arab Muslims and their mass migration with a sprinkling of references to Ibn al-Haytham's boyhood. While the historical background is informative, it may lose readers expecting a more biographical account. Steffens credits the man as a pioneer of the scientific method, citing his emphasis on testing hypotheses through experimentation. The most engaging chapter introduces The Book of Optics , a groundbreaking treatise on vision and light. Most of the scientist's other works are mentioned only briefly. Intriguingly, the author speculates that Ibn al-Haytham may have faked madness so he could be released from a government post to pursue his research. Steffens informs readers of the sparseness of information available about his subject and indicates when he is making assumptions. He also incorporates how religion played a part in the man's life. Boxed entries about related topics appear throughout. All quotations are documented in the source notes. The well-placed reproductions and detailed captions add interest and additional facts. This book will circulate best where students seek short biographies on people of varied cultures for reports.
—Linda L. PlevakCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.