The Light of Knowledge: The Story of James Clerk Maxwell

By: Joyce McPherson

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

This biography of James Clerk Maxwell tells the story of one of the greatest physicists of the nineteenth century. Maxwell discovered the relationship between electricity, magnetism, and light, which prepared the way for radio waves and the internet. Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, said, “I stand not on the shoulders of Newton, but on the shoulders of James Clerk Maxwell.” Maxwell’s work on color theory, thermodynamics and physics laid the foundation for modern science. What many do not know, is that James Clerk Maxwell considered his greatest discovery to be his faith in Jesus Christ.

Found the story very encouraging.

I listened to a different book on Faraday and Maxwell because I was interested in the origins of electromagnetic theory. Although the book was good, I find this unfiltered biography of Maxwell has inspired me more to press on with my personal research than the other. The story telling of Maxwell's quirks and humanity is far better depicted, and his dependence on faith in Christ was not diminished like it was in the other book. I understand religion and science has been strained in modern day, but I feel the faith of the giants on who's shoulders we stand should not be hidden.