Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World’s Greatest Scientist

Name: Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World’s Greatest Scientist
Price: 2.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (288 reviews)
Author: Thomas Levenson

by Thomas Levenson

Biography Memoir

4.3 (288)

4.3 stars from 288 reviews

338 pages~5.6 hr readPublished by Mariner Books

$2.99KU83% off peak

Last checked: May 1, 2026

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Hidden GemHighly rated but flying under the radar. Fewer readers have found this one yet.

Price history: $2.99 – $18.00

While not the biggest discount we've seen for this book, it's still a great deal and we recommend grabbing it before price returns to its normal range.

Price range: $2.99 – $18.00

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Perfect for you if...

You love history told through vivid narrative rather than dusty academia, with real stakes and compelling characters.
You're fascinated by genius applied to unexpected problems—science, crime, obsession, the lot.
You want your non-fiction gripping enough to read in one sitting, not a textbook you force yourself through.

Maybe not for you if...

You need a straightforward chronological biography of Newton's life and work.
You're looking for a procedural guide to 17th-century counterfeiting techniques.
You prefer stories where the protagonist is likeable or relatable, rather than a difficult man with singular focus.

About this book

Isaac Newton's appointment as Warden of His Majesty's Mint in London coincides with the rise of William Chaloner, a skilled counterfeiter operating in the city's criminal underworld. As Newton takes on his new role, the two men's paths cross, setting off a contest of wits in the courts and streets of 17th-century London. Thomas Levenson recounts this historical confrontation between Newton and Chaloner, exploring how Newton's detective work unfolded amid the intellectual and social upheaval of the era. The narrative weaves together Newton's scientific mind, the mechanics of counterfeiting and currency, conditions in the Tower of London's prisons, and the broader context of Newtonian physics.

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Price History

Kindle price over time. Green zones = periods when the book was free.

$2.99 – $18.00

Currently on sale at $2.99 — 83% off peak. Price has dropped 32 times over the last 5 years. Goes on sale roughly every 59 days.

Sales Rank

Amazon sales rank: lower number = better selling book. #1 is the bestseller.

Currently around #31K in the Kindle store — a steady mid-list seller. Climbing the charts — 33% improvement recently.

Rating & Reviews

Purple line = star rating over time. Blue area = total review count growth.

Currently 4.3★ from 288 reviews

Gaining approximately 1 new review per month. Rating has remained stable at 4.3 over the tracking period.

Sale Prediction

Actual Predicted

This book is currently discounted at $2.99. It typically returns to around $18.00.

Prices shown in USD from Amazon US. We continuously pull new data to improve tracking. If dates look old, it usually means there has been no significant change since the last data point.