A suspenseful narrative and spirited rendition of the life of Galileo Galilei, the Renaissance giant who set out on a collision course with the Roman Catholic Church. James Reston's meticulous research, astute use of excerpts from letters, poems, and church documents enliven his hero on every page.

James Reston, Jr. is the author of several books. He has written articles for the New Yorker, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Time, Rolling Stone, and many other publications, and the scripts for three Frontline documentaries. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland.