Skip to content

A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change Hardcover - 2012

by John Glassie


Summary

A Scientific American Best Science Book of 2012
An Atlantic Wire Best Book of 2012
A New York Times Book Review “Editor's Choice”


The “fascinating” (The New Yorker) story of Athanasius Kircher, the eccentric scholar-inventor who was either a great genius or a crackpot . . . or a bit of both.

The interests of Athanasius Kircher, the legendary seventeenth-century priest-scientist, knew no bounds. From optics to music to magnetism to medicine, he offered up inventions and theories for everything, and they made him famous across Europe. His celebrated museum in Rome featured magic lanterns, speaking statues, the tail of a mermaid, and a brick from the Tower of Babel. Holy Roman Emperors were his patrons, popes were his friends, and in his spare time he collaborated with the Baroque master Bernini.

But Kircher lived during an era of radical transformation, in which the old approach to knowledge—what he called the “art of knowing”— was giving way to the scientific method and modern thought. A Man of Misconceptions traces the rise, success, and eventual fall of this fascinating character as he attempted to come to terms with a changing world.

With humor and insight, John Glassie returns Kircher to his rightful place as one of history’s most unforgettable figures.
 

From the publisher

John Glassie, a former contributing editor to The New York Times Magazine, has written for The Believer, The New Republic, The New York Times, The Paris Review DailySalon, and Wired. He is the author of the photo book Bicycles Locked to Poles and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Details

  • Title A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change
  • Author John Glassie
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition 1st
  • Pages 352
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Riverhead Books, Qd21
  • Date 2012-11-08
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9781594488719 / 1594488711
  • Weight 1.05 lbs (0.48 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.5 in (21.34 x 14.22 x 3.81 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Germany - History - 1618-1648, Scientists - Germany
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2012026023
  • Dewey Decimal Code B

Media reviews

“Like his subject, Athanasius Kircher, writer John Glassie has the rare gift of authentic quirkiness. A Man of Misconceptions leaves you contemplating the big questions, delightedly scratching your head, and laughing—all at the same time.”
—Mark Kurlansky, author of Cod and Salt

“I’ve been waiting my entire adult life for someone to write a popular biography of the loopy, ingenious scholar-priest Athanasius Kircher, and John Glassie has delivered marvelously. A man of insatiable curiosity and staggeringly diverse intellectual passions, Kircher may have been the greatest polymath of all time—or at least the most eccentric.”
—Joshua Foer, author of Moonwalking with Einstein

“Glassie brings the ultimate mad professor Athanasius Kircher vividly to life, revealing him to be a kind of cross between Leonardo da Vinci and Mr. Bean. A most entertaining foray into the history of science.”
—Ross King, author of Brunelleschi’s Dome

“A marvelous insight into the mind of one of the world’s most eccentric thinkers. Glassie brings Kircher to life—and what a life it is!”
—Adrian Tinniswood, author of The Verneys and Pirates of Barbary

“What a brilliant and revealing book about a fascinating character, one I had no previous knowledge about. Glassie’s genius is to make Kircher and his era come alive for us centuries later in such a way that I can hear and touch him.”
— Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone

"This fascinating biography of the Renaissance polymath Athanasius Kircher explores the birth of modern science through the life of one of the last pre-modern geniuses."
The New Yorker

“[A] brisk new biography...stirring…with impressive verve and un-Kircherian concision.”
The New York Times

“In his quirky biography of Athanasius Kircher … Mr. Glassie uses Kircher as something of a comic foil to show how erroneous ideas about investigating nature helped lead to modern science... [A] spirited telling."
The Wall Street Journal

“You will come away from Glassie's book ... feeling inspired by the incredible inventive spirit of the man behind such creations as the ‘cat piano’ and ‘the speaking trumpet’ — and at the same time a bit sad that such characters as Kircher have been left mostly forgotten in the winds of time. You'll feel more knowledgeable about everything because of this book.”
The Atlantic Wire

“Hooh boy! ... Why do I love Kircher so much? Chalk it up to the man’s passion for scientific inquiry, and his boundless curiosity about how the world works.”
Scientific American

“Glassie’s biography ... brings into stark relief the pressures of the intellectual climate he lived in ... a time when witch trials flourished, prevailing logic said bees spontaneously generated from dung, and when it was widely believed that something called the vegetable lamb plant of Tartary produced actual sheep as its fruit.”
The Daily Beast

"In the course of his life, Kircher opined, almost invariably incorrectly, about the nature of light, magnetism, and the geography of the earth…Glassie has a genuine affection for Kircher despite the latter's laughably bizarre theories and self-aggrandizing egotism. In fact, the author's affection humanizes Kircher, making him oddly credible."
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An entertaining reminder that skepticism can be good.”
Library Journal

“excellent…An entertaining and enlightening biography of a man who has been, probably unfairly, almost entirely left out of the history of science.”
Booklist   

"His sharp eye for the absurd helps Glassie make Kircher's story interesting and superbly human.... Glassie tells Kircher's complex story with humor and genuine passion, using fascinating details to bring us into Kircher's world. "
— Bookslut

"What makes A Man of Misconceptions fascinating is how it sets the intellectual scene of the 17th century ... and it's that clarity of scene that helps make sense of a contradictory character."
Mental Floss Magazine

"Fun and magisterial ... A simply fascinating book about a fascinating figure."
Baltimore City Paper

"Very entertaining."
— NPR's "Science Friday"
 

About the author

John Glassie, a former contributing editor to "The New York Times Magazine," has written for "The Believer," "The New Republic, The New York Times," "The Paris Review Daily," "Salon," and"Wired." He is the author of the photo book "Bicycles Locked to Poles" and lives in Brooklyn, New York."
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

by Glassie, John

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$8.26
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
NZ$8.26
FREE shipping to USA
A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

by Glassie, John

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.69
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
NZ$9.69
FREE shipping to USA
man of misconceptions - the life of an eccentric in and age of change
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

man of misconceptions - the life of an eccentric in and age of change

by glassie, john

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
RIVER FALLS, Wisconsin, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$9.89
NZ$9.07 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Hard Cover. Riverhead Books. Clean Text, No Water Damage, Strong Binding. Unless Listed in this decription, VG or Better.
Item Price
NZ$9.89
NZ$9.07 shipping to USA
Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

by John Glassie

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.56
NZ$5.78 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books. Used - Like New. 2012. 1st. Hardcover. May have a remainder mark. Fine. Dust jacket is fine.
Item Price
NZ$11.56
NZ$5.78 shipping to USA
A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

by John Glassie

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.61
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2012. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.61
FREE shipping to USA
A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

by John Glassie

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$11.61
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2012. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
NZ$11.61
FREE shipping to USA
A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Man of Misconceptions : The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

by Glassie, John

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$12.47
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
NZ$12.47
FREE shipping to USA
A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of An Eccentric in An Age of Change (UNCORRECTED PROOF)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of An Eccentric in An Age of Change (UNCORRECTED PROOF)

by Glassie, John

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Eugene, Oregon, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$16.51
NZ$9.91 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books, 2012. Paperback. Uncorrected proof. Wrappers are worn, rubbed and scuffed. Some curling to corners and edges. 332 pages.
Item Price
NZ$16.51
NZ$9.91 shipping to USA
A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

by Glassie, John

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
West Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$19.81
NZ$8.26 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books, 2012-11-07. First Edition. hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 6x1x9. Dust jacket and book are clean, has a very good binding, no notations. First Edition, First Printing. Remainder mark to bottom page edge.
Item Price
NZ$19.81
NZ$8.26 shipping to USA
A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change
More Photos

A Man of Misconceptions: The Life of an Eccentric in an Age of Change

by Glassie, John

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
New
Edition
First Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781594488719 / 1594488711
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Southampton, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$33.02
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Riverhead Books, 2012. First Edition. Hardcover. Like New/Like New. First Edition, First Printing. Not price-clipped ($26.95 price intact). Published by Riverhead Books, 2012. Octavo. Green cloth over white boards stamped in gold. Book is like new; clean with no writing or names. Sharp corners and spine straight. Binding tight and pages crisp. Dust jacket is like new with light shelf wear and a few light smudges. 333 pages. ISBN: 9781594488719. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. Please email with any questions or if you would like a photo. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Southampton, New York. We Buy Books! Individual titles, libraries, collections. Message us if you have books to sell!
Item Price
NZ$33.02
FREE shipping to USA