Passages from the Life of a Philosopher
Charles Babbage, the mathematician who designed the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine, published this loosely organized autobiography in 1864. It moves from his ancestors, childhood and Cambridge years to long accounts of his calculating machines, his struggles to get them built and the mechanical notation he invented to describe them. Around these chapters he arranges recollections of the Duke of Wellington, Humphry Davy, Laplace and Humboldt, odd experiments of his own, and his quarrels with officials and critics. The tone is witty, inventive and often aggrieved, and the book gives a direct view of the mind behind the earliest designs for a general-purpose computer. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Passages from the Life of a Philosopher
Passages from the Life of a Philosopher by Charles Babbage can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Passages from the Life of a Philosopher online?
Yes. Passages from the Life of a Philosopher opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Passages from the Life of a Philosopher free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Passages from the Life of a Philosopher is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Passages from the Life of a Philosopher in the public domain?
Yes. Passages from the Life of a Philosopher by Charles Babbage is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Passages from the Life of a Philosopher?
About 9 h 31 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Passages from the Life of a Philosopher?
Passages from the Life of a Philosopher by Charles Babbage is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
