Ivars Peterson

I really liked the structure of this book, related chapters that could be read in many different orders. Where the second reading of chapter x, after looking at chapter y, could be a revelation.

An interesting view of mathematics while some of the maths is beyond my capabilities. The relationship between maths and beauty is interesting and impelling with the use of computer graphics being applied.

(posted on my blog: http://davenichols.net/islands-truth-mathematical-mystery-cruise)

Math is such a hard subject to put into enjoyable narrative that I tend to be relieved when I realize I'm already 100 pages into a math book and don't feel like putting it back on the shelf. Peterson's narrative is engaging and should provide a comfortable realm in which to explore his examples of applied and advanced math studies. While the book itself does contain some discussion of advanced math, the show more author is careful to offer the reader solid analogies and models to help understand some of the concepts. The book is heavily peppered with graphics, charts, models, and other visual representations of the subjects, which helps enormously in visualizing what the author describes.

This book was written in 1990, so many of the discussions regarding computers and their function in math (generally the last 1/3 or so) are greatly out of date. However, all is not lost since Peterson's underlying points are often untouched by such concerns. Just keep that in mind as you read about things that aren't yet possible on computers, or feats which have surely been bested, such as disussion of Deep Thought (chess playing computer Deep Thought eventually gave way to Deep Blue which scored a highly controversial victory over master and champion Kasparov in 1997 before being dismantled). All in all, well worth a read for most any level of math reader or general science reader. Four stars. show less

This Book examines a mystery that has fascinated and tormented astronomers and mathematicians for centuries: are the orbits of planets and other bodies stable and predictable, or are there elements affecting the dynamics of the solar system that defy calculation. Weaving together some of the most influential moments of scientific discovery, Peterson offers a fascinating look at the intimate relationship between mathematics, astronomy, and our desire to understand the solar system.