Suor Maria Celeste was the eldest daughter of Galileo Galilei's three illegitimate children. This volume presents all 124 existing letters she wrote to her father over a period of ten years, reproduced in their original Italian alongside Sobel's (author of Galileo's Daughter, 1999) English translations. Includes Sobel's introduction and annotations placing the letters in historical context. c. Book News Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Suor Maria Celeste's story is well known to readers of Sobel's bestselling Galileo's Daughter. At 13, she boarded as a student at the Convent of San Matteo, near Florence, Italy; three years later she professed her vows. During her two decades with the Franciscan order known as the Poor Clares, Suor Maria Celeste and her sisters prayed constantly for the well-being of the world's souls (among other things, asking God to rid Florence of the bubonic plague), and Suor Maria Celeste maintained a close correspondence with her father during those years (124 letters are offered here both in the original Italian and in translation). Suor Maria Celeste urged her "`Most Illustrious Lord Father'" to guard his health, encouraged his work, and asked him for favors, such as food and wine, and, one time, for funds that would allow her to purchase a private cell within the convent. In an early letter, she promised to write him daily, read his letters eagerly and think of him always. Once, she described the indiscreet behavior of some confessors "who fraternize" with several nuns. She reproved Galileo for not writing her often enough; in fact, none of his letters to her now exist. Suor Maria Celeste mentions Galileo's heresy charge and imprisonment only once in these letters. However, while the letters are models of fervent filial devotion and shed some light on the daily life of a convent, they reveal little about the milieu in which they were written or their addressee. (Nov. Forecast: These letters may have been eagerly awaited by Sobel's readers, but the book's high price (the attractive design pads the book out with wide margins), may dissuade some buyers. Both Sobel and Walker will donate all profits from the book to the Poor Clares in Roswell, N.Mex.Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Collected and translated by the author of Galileo's Daughter, this book offers 124 letters to Galileo from his older, illegitimate daughter Virginia (later Suor Maria Celeste), documenting her life from the time she entered the Convent of San Matteo in 1613 at the age of 13 with her sister Livia. The hardship of their living conditions with the Poor Clares and resultant poor health is obvious from the earliest letters and continues throughout but is accepted almost matter-of-factly. Occasionally, when conditions deteriorate too drastically or when a sick sister would benefit from something "special," Maria Celeste would ask her father for assistance. The references to the plague that swept the area in the 1630s and her father's trial for heresy are touched on gently and sometimes indirectly but certainly indicate that Maria Celeste knew what was happening in the "outside" world. Maria Celeste died in 1634, shortly after Galileo's release, and the letters conclude before his return. Both the original Italian and English translation with annotations are included. The book will appeal to the general reader, particularly those who enjoyed Sobel's previous book. Recommended. Hilary Burton, Lawrence Livermore National Lab., Livermore, CACopyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Though this book may be read independently, it would be even more enjoyable if treated as a companion to Sobel's beautifully written Galileo's Daughter (CH, May'00), a masterpiece of biography. Sobel presents all the letters, of which only excerpts from some appear in the other volume. It is a pleasure to read these moving, affectionate, and sensitive notes from a loving and respectful daughter to her elderly father. The letters are replete with personal reflections and moods, but they also remind us of some of the social, political, and religious concerns of the period. The English translations are side-by-side with the original Italian versions. Sometimes, an old Italian word like anco (instead of anche) sounds somewhat strange. One may be struck by the rendering of simili personaggi by "people of that ilk" and of imporre by "to defer" (p. 108). It is uncertain if "Most Beloved Lord Father" would be the best way of translating Amatissimo Signor Padre. Perhaps "Dearest Father, Sir" would sound a little more natural. But these are minor matters. More importantly, these letters, now available in English, are now within reach of millions more, and add considerably to Galileana. For this the scholarly world and the public at large should be grateful to Sobel. All levels. From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.