In Euclid's Window, Leonard Mlondinow takes us on a brilliantly entertaining journey through 3,000 years of genius and geometry, introducing the people who revolutionized the way we see the world around us.
Ever since Pythagoras hatched a 'little scheme' to invent a set of rules describing the entire universe, scientists and mathematicians have tried to seek order in the cosmos: Euclid, who in 300BC defined the nature of space; Descartes, a fourteenth-century gambler and idler who invented the graph; Gauss, the fifteen-year-old genius who discovered that space is curved; Einstein, who added time to the equation; and Witten, who ushered in today's weird new world of extra, twisted dimensions.
They all show how geometry is the key to understanding the universe. Once you have viewed life through Euclid's Window, it will never be the same again...
'Elegant, attractive and concise ... also very readable. Buy it'
Ian Stewart, New Scientist
'This is an exhilarating book ... an important book ... and finally, a lovely book, one that reflects the radiance of its subject'
David Berlinski
'Reader-friendly, high-spirited, splendidly lucid and often hilarious'
Washington Post
'Mlodinow has a talent for lively and clear exposition ... Pythagoras' proof has lost none of its capacity to astonish and delight'
Edward Skidelsky, Daily Telegraph
Leonard Mlodinow was a member of the faculty of the Californian Institute of Technology before moving to Hollywood to become a writer for television. He has developed many best selling and award-winning CD-ROMs and is currently Vice President, Emerging Technologies and R&D at Scholastic Inc. He lives in New York City. His other books include The Drunkard's Walk and Subliminal.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
This is not just a history of geometry--it's a timeline of reason and abstraction, with all the major players present: Euclid, Descartes, Gauss, Einstein and Witten, each represented by a mini-biography.
Lots of examples pepper the narrative to help readers achieve their own "eureka!" And it's impossible not to be staggered at the mathematical feats of these geniuses, accomplished as many of them were in the absence of anything but observation and intense thought. Each story builds satisfactorily upon the last until at the end of this delightful book one has a sense of having climbed a peak of understanding.
A working knowledge of basic geometry is helpful but not essential for enjoying Euclid's Window, and Mlodinow's chatty style lends itself remarkably well to explaining these deep and revolutionary concepts. --Adam Fisher
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Through Euclid's Window, Leonard Mlondinow brilliantly and delightfully leads us on a journey through five revolutions in geometry, from the Greek concept of parallel lines to the latest notions of hyperspace. This new, refreshing, alternative history of maths reveals how simple questions anyone might ask about space in the living room or in some other galaxy have been the hidden engine of science's highest achievements. Ever since Pythagoras hatched a 'little scheme' to invent a set of rules describing the entire universe, scientists and mathematicians have tried to seek order in the cosmos. In this title, the author takes us on a journey through 3,000 years of genius and geometry, introducing the people who revolutionized the way we see the world around us. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780141009094
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Book Description Taschenbuch. Condition: Neu. Neuware - In Euclid's Window, Leonard Mlondinow takes us on a brilliantly entertaining journey through 3,000 years of genius and geometry, introducing the people who revolutionized the way we see the world around us. Ever since Pythagoras hatched a 'little scheme' to invent a set of rules describing the entire universe, scientists and mathematicians have tried to seek order in the cosmos: Euclid, who in 300BC defined the nature of space; Descartes, a fourteenth-century gambler and idler who invented the graph; Gauss, the fifteen-year-old genius who discovered that space is curved; Einstein, who added time to the equation; and Witten, who ushered in today's weird new world of extra, twisted dimensions. They all show how geometry is the key to understanding the universe. Once you have viewed life through Euclid's Window, it will never be the same again. 'Elegant, attractive and concise . also very readable. Buy it' Ian Stewart, New Scientist 'This is an exhilarating book . an important book . and finally, a lovely book, one that reflects the radiance of its subject' David Berlinski 'Reader-friendly, high-spirited, splendidly lucid and often hilarious' Washington Post 'Mlodinow has a talent for lively and clear exposition . Pythagoras' proof has lost none of its capacity to astonish and delight' Edward Skidelsky, Daily Telegraph Leonard Mlodinow was a member of the faculty of the Californian Institute of Technology before moving to Hollywood to become a writer for television. He has developed many best selling and award-winning CD-ROMs and is currently Vice President, Emerging Technologies and R&D at Scholastic Inc. He lives in New York City. His other books include The Drunkard's Walk and Subliminal. 320 pp. Deutsch. Seller Inventory # 9780141009094
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Through Euclid's Window, Leonard Mlondinow brilliantly and delightfully leads us on a journey through five revolutions in geometry, from the Greek concept of parallel lines to the latest notions of hyperspace. This new, refreshing, alternative history of maths reveals how simple questions anyone might ask about space in the living room or in some other galaxy have been the hidden engine of science's highest achievements. Ever since Pythagoras hatched a 'little scheme' to invent a set of rules describing the entire universe, scientists and mathematicians have tried to seek order in the cosmos. In this title, the author takes us on a journey through 3,000 years of genius and geometry, introducing the people who revolutionized the way we see the world around us. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780141009094