"'I render infinite thanks to God,' Galileo intoned after those nights of wonder, 'for being so kind as to make me alone the first observer of marvels kept hidden in obscurity for all previous centuries.'"
Page 6

"As his Paduan career increased its brilliance in the early years of the 17th century, Galileo continued struggling to meet all his expensive family responsibilities."
Page 25

"Galileo had given Venice his telescope. Now he would offer Florence the moons of Jupiter."
Page 33

"To cement the primacy of his claims, Galileo thought it politic to visit Rome and publicize his discoveries around the Eternal City."
Page 40

"At the ceremony of her investiture, Virginia relinquished her given name to be known henceforward as Suor Maria Celeste - the God name chosen for her and whispered in her heart."
Page 82

"By the time Suor Maria Celeste joined the order, the Rule of St...