I have fond memories of this trilogy from my youth. Or, more likely, of parts of this trilogy, both because in my rebellious heyday I read things out of sequence like it was nobody's business (because it wasn't) and because my library is very fond of buying books 2 and 3 but not book 1. So I can't recall if I ever read Newton”s Cannon, but it seemed like a good place to restart my journey through the Age of Unreason. Finding it for 30 p at a library sale was just icing on the cake—it even has that sweet transparent jacket cover for paperbacks that many UK libraries use!But I digress.As a mathematician, I am required to be fascinated by Isaac Newton. You should be too, even if you aren’t a mathematician. The man was incredible. In addition to his contributions to math, physics, and astronomy, he was also the head of the Royal Mint and of the Royal Society. He was also, by all reports, a bit of a dick towards his friends and peers. And don't you dare get in a priority dispute with him, because he will cut you, and then he’ll write the anonymous review congratulating the report (by a committee he heads up) that finds in his favour.Still digressing.It’s an open secret, though, that Newton had some strange ideas. He saw his contributions to astronomy and optics as interesting hobbies, but he was really keen on alchemy and mysticism. In this series, Greg Keyes seizes upon this as the jumping-off point for a creative alternate history: what if our universe actually worked in the alchemical, classical sense of Greek and Renaissance descriptions? Gravity is merely one of many “affinities” that matter displays; rather than vacuum, we really do have luminiferous aether, and electric lights are instead devices that separate aether and lux. In this world, philosopher-alchemists create cannonballs that turn the walls they hit into glass and pairs of machines (aetherscribers) that communicate instantaneously with each other across the world.Newton’s Cannon follows two protagonists: a young Benjamin Franklin and Adrienne de Mornay de Montchevreuil. Yep, Benjamin Franklin. Only after he gets himself in trouble with a nefarious warlock-type dude, Benjamin flees Boston for London, hoping to apprentice himself to Isaac Newton, who at this late stage in his life has entered a rather deep episode of paranoia. Meanwhile, in France, Adrienne hides her “improper” (for a woman) interests in science, acting as the supposedly bored secretary to an overzealous mathematician who hopes to drop a comet on London. She catches the eye of an immortal Sun King, Louis XIV, who has plans to make her his wife. Before Adrienne can refuse, she becomes involved in a conspiracy to kill the king.Keyes mixes the historical animosity between English and French with the pressures and changes brought about by Newton's discoveries. Louis’ lengthy reign has prompted rebellion, in addition to the war with England, resulting in a France strained to the limit. Newton's discoveries have attracted the attention of strange, inhuman entities—creatures we might call angels and demons—whose intentions towards humanity are far from good. Throughout the book, we get the sense that everyone (except maybe Newton) is messing with forces beyond their understanding.Both storylines take a while to get going. Ben spends a great deal of time trying to work at his brother’s printing shop before plot conspires to ship him off to London. Likewise, Adrienne spends a lot of time orbiting movers and shakers before becoming one herself. It’s hard for me to say which one interested me more; I suppose what kept me going was just curiosity regarding the bigger picture. In that respect, Newton’s Cannon remains coy. Much changes, but very little is revealed about what is happening behind the scenes.It’s worth sticking out. There’s plenty of action scenes to keep one’s interest going. But the payoff is less than what I expected, considering the very cool world Keyes has created here.
I just read "Dark Matter," which puts the character of Isaac Newton in a Sherlock Holmes-type role, so when I realized I had another book featuring Mr. Newton, I decided to compare and contrast.Well, this book isn't so much about Isaac Newton. It's actually more about Ben Franklin. (!) But then again... it's not really about Ben Franklin. I tend, in general, to dislike books that name-check famous historical characters to the extent that this one does, but it didn't bother me in this book. It took a little bit to figure out why, but I believe it's because they really came across as characters in a fantasy novel, not actual historical figures. It was so far-fetched that discrepancies didn't bother me.As a fantasy novel, I really enjoyed the book. It's an alternate-history/steampunk setting. The premise is that in 1681, Isaac Newton made a scientific/alchemical discovery (of 'philosopher's mercury') which enabled various innovations - artificial lighting, aetherschreibers (which enable long-distance communications), etc.Now, in 1715, the discovery may also enable a weapon of indescribable power - and France may use that weapon to wipe England off the map.A complex and fantastic story ensues, replete with plots, innovations and derring-do. A young Ben Franklin is the principal character, but a brilliant female mathematician at the French court is an excellent counterpoint. Good fun. Not as good as Keyes' 'Thorn and Bone' epic, though.
What do You think about Newton's Cannon (1999)?
The book is fascinating. Many different heroes with their own motivations were (mostly) complex and obviously great. The setting, while deviating from our history a little bit, was explained and logical and the plot was relatively straight-forward. The conflict of the book is resolved, yet the premise for the one is established. However, there were some problems, that spoiled the reading for me. Most of them are typical of alternative-but-no-so-alternative-to-be-not-sexist historical fiction. Tw
—Ekevka
Follow along with Benjamin Franklin, John Collins, Sir Issac Newton, kings, dukes, armies, tzars, and common folk as they unravel the mysteries of the physics, cosmos, and human greed. For love of country, for love of heart, for love of mankind.....read this book to find out which wins.I was truly surprised that I like this book. Reading the title and the insert I rolled my eyes in anticipating a cheesy sci-fi novel with ridiculousness. It was a sci-fi novel, there was some ridiculousness, a little cheesy, but I flipped the pages. I admit, I underestimated this book.I find it most awesome that an author can take historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin, kings, dukes, and Sir Isaac Newton, weave a fictional and sci-fi book complete with equations, formulas, and the imagined. Not only was it fascinating to see great names from our history utilized in an entertaining manner but they were used in the manner of which they lived. The book includes formulas, theories, philosophies, and admittedly, I didn't grasp a single concept any more then when I started the book but was able to follow along and not feel too daft. That was what I appreciated most about this book.I imagine that history buffs out there might read this book as pure fodder, finding it hard to put aside the concretes of the known histories but as a lover of fiction and not of history I didn't have any difficulty with that. I have no clue if Benjamin Franklin was really an apprentice to his brother (a printer) and I didn't care is Sir Isaac Newton wasn't as crazy as it seemed, or if Malakus existed or if there was "Sun King" as adapted of the real one. I was able to read this novel without any inclination of double checking the facts. That being said, a person who feels strongly about historical accuracy and not crossing lines from fact to sci-fi would most likely not enjoy this as much as I did. Thrashdthoughts.com
—Mistydawn Thrash
I got about 3/4 of the way through this one and just ran out of patience with this book. all the elements are here. alternate history, magic in a semi modern era, American history. but that was not enough for me. The story just kind of fell flat and I was just bored after a while. even after the big calamity I was just wondering why I was here and I was 3/4 of the way through, at 3/4 I should know whats up and I didn't so I had to step away or I was just gonna get angry. A real interesting start to what promises to be a good series. I wish I could have had a little more patience with it but as hard as I tried to like this book near the end I just stopped caring about the characters as I felt like I was just along for the ride and good thing I bought book one so that I know who is in book two because that's where I should have started reading so that I know what the actual plot is maybe. I did have fun with the main characters, watching stuff happen to them but if I could have a why it would have made all the difference.
—Greg
