Table of Contents

Prologue
1: The beginnings and the writing of the Principia
2: Basic concepts: definition and axioms
3: On the notion of limits and the ratios of evanescent quantities
4: On the motion of particles under centripetal attraction: an introduction to Newton's treatment
5: The law of areas and some relations which follow
6: The motion of bodies along conic sections
7: Kepler's equation and its solution
8: The rectilinear ascent and descent of bodies
9: The conservation of energy and the initial value problem
10: On revolving orbits
11: A pause
12: The two-body problem
13: The method of the variations of the elements of a Kepler orbit and Newton's lunar theory: an introduction to propositions LXV-LXIX
14: The three body problem: the foundations of Newton's lunar theory
15: The superb theorems
16: Attraction by non-spherical bodies
17: A digression into Opticks
18: Prolegomenon
19: The universal law of gravitation
20: The figure of the earth and of the planets
21: On the theory of tides
22: The lunar theory
23: The precession of the equinoxes
24: On the comets
25: The effect of air-drag on the descent of bodies
26: The solid of least resistance
27: The problem of the brachistochrone
28: The velocity of sound and long waves in canals

Reviews

"Only a few have ventured into Newton's forbidding cathedral of scientific understanding with the persistence and ability to appreciate both its genuine miracles and the sublime elegance of the imposing structures to be found within it. One of the most eminent of those who have done so is Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar." Sir Roger Penrose, Times Higher Education Supplement
"All will be grateful to Chandrasekhar for providing us with an access to the magnificence of the Principia that is exciting and relatively painless. He acts as a superb guide, pointing out ornaments of particular elegance and subtlety, while all the time keeping us in mind of the grandeur of purpose of the magnificent architecture." Sir Roger Penrose, Times Higher Education Supplement.
"Those who are familiar with Chandrasekhar's work...may find it surprising that he has devoted so many of his latest years to exploring the delights of Newton's geometry. This surprise is removed, once one appreciates that it is in his artistry with equations rather than with brute-force calculations, that his ability, in this regard, lie." Sir Roger Penrose, Times Higher Education Supplement
"...there is no question that Chandrasekhar has performed a uniquely valuable service. I know I shall often return to his book and continue to take advantage of his insights into Newton's supreme work for years to come." Sir Roger Penrose, Times Higher Education Supplement
`Chandrasekhar transforms the Newtonian mathematics into modern idiom and thus makes it much more accessible to what he quaintly refers to as the "common reader". The beauty, clarity and economy of Newton's achievements shine through. The great joy of Chandrasekhar's book is that it repays all the attention one gives it. As one proceeds, everything becomes so much easier to undrstand. The veil of Newtonian obscurity is lifted and one begins to grasp is
lifted and one begins to grasp the extent of Newton's achievement.'
David Hughes, Nature
`This book will stimulate great interest and debate among the scientific community, illuminating the brilliance of Newton's work.'
Zentrallblatt fur Mathematik, Vol. 821, 1995
`... a remarkable tour de force ...'
Leon Mestel
`This remarkable book is both an interpretation of and a commentary on Newton's 'Principia' in which the author analyses some 150 propositions which lead eventually to the formulation of the law of gravitation.'
Aslib Book Guide, Vol. 60, No. 9, September 1995
`....a remarkable tour de force..'
Leon Mestel, The Observatory, February 1996
`To grasp the truly awesome nature of Newton's achievement in the Principia, it is necessary to turn to Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar's Newton's Principia for the Common Reader...This is a valuable guide to the Principia--certainly beyond the level of the "common reader"--that will take its place in the succession of major commentaries on the Principia of the past three centuries.'
Physics Today, November 1996