The King of Infinite Space: Euclid and His Elements

by David Berlinski

Book Overview

Geometry defines the world around us, helping us make sense of everything from architecture to military science to fashion. And for over two thousand years, geometry has been equated with Euclid's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 046501481X
• ISBN13: 9780465014811
• Release Date: January 2013
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Fraught with errors!

I'm a mathe nut and wanted to brush up on and enjoy Euclid's beautiful arguments and proofs. Sadly this book seems to have never been edited. Chapter VI, page 72 - 75 attempts to explain the proof of the Pythagorean theorem. References to the diagram on page 72 are erroneous in several places on page 75. i.e. "... congruent triangles appear on HBK and AEC." "HBK" should read "CBK". Later on same page "EL" should be "BL" (in two places), "GL" should be "AK", "AK" should read "GB" and finally "... purposes of proof, is equal to GL..." should be "GB". This book does little toward advancing one's understanding of geometric principals. Author, David Berlinsky, has done a grand disservice to Euclid's beautiful proof of Pythagorus' theorem.