Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

基本信息·出版社：Signet Classics

·页码：160 页

·出版日期：2005年

·ISBN：0451529766

·条形码：9780451529763

·装帧：平装

·正文语种：英语

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内容简介'Upward, yet not Northward.' How would a creature limited to two dimensions be able to grasp the possibility of a third? Edwin A. Abbott's droll and delightful 'romance of many dimensions' explores this conundrum in the experiences of his protagonist, A Square, whose linear world is invaded by an emissary Sphere bringing the gospel of the third dimension on the eve of the new millennium. Part geometry lesson, part social satire, this classic work of science fiction brilliantly succeeds in enlarging all readers' imaginations beyond the limits of our 'respective dimensional prejudices'. In a world where class is determined by how many sides you possess, and women are straight lines, the prospects for enlightenment are boundless, and Abbott's hypotheses about a fourth and higher dimensions seem startlingly relevant today. This new edition of Flatland illuminates the social and intellectual context that produced the work as well as the timeless questions that it raises about the limits of our perception and knowledge.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

作者简介Edwin Abbott Abbott (1838-1926) has been ranked as one of the leading scholars and theologians of the Victorian era. He received highest honors in mathematics, classics, and theology at St. John's College, Cambridge, and in 1862 began a brilliant career, during which he served as schoolmaster of some of England's outstanding schools. At the same time he distinguished himself as a scholar, and in 1889 he retired to his studies. AlthoughFlatland, a literary jeu d'esprit,has given pleasure to thousands of readers over many generations, Abbott is best known for his scholarly works, especially hisShakespearian Grammarand his life of Francis Bacon, and for a number of theological discussions.--This text refers to thePaperbackedition.

编辑推荐Amazon.com Review

Unless you're a mathematician, the chances of you reading any novels about geometry are probably slender. But if you read only two in your life, these are the ones. Taken together, they form a couple of accessible and charming explanations of geometry and physics for the curious non-mathematician.Flatland, which is also available under separate cover, was published in 1880 and imagines a two-dimensional world inhabited by sentient geometric shapes who think their planar world is all there is. But one Flatlander, a Square, discovers the existence of a third dimension and the limits of his world's assumptions about reality and comes to understand the confusing problem of higher dimensions. The book is also quite a funny satire on society and class distinctions of Victorian England. The further mathematical fantasy,Sphereland, published 60 years later, revisits the world of Flatland in time to explore the mind-bending theories created by Albert Einstein, whose work so completely altered the scientific understanding of space, time, and matter. Among Einstein's many challenges to common sense were the ideas of curved space, an expanding universe and the fact that light does not travel in a straight line. Without use of the mathematical formulae that bar most non-scientists from an understanding of Einstein's theories,Spherelandgives lay readers ways to start comprehending these confusing but fundamental questions of our reality.--This text refers to thePaperbackedition.

Review

"The best introduction one can find into the manner of perceiving dimensions." ----Isaac Asimov in the ForewordA--This text refers to thePaperbackedition.

Review

One of the most imaginative, delightful and, yes, touching works of mathematics, this slender 1884 book purports to be the memoir of A. Square, a citizen of an entirely two-dimensional world.

(The Washington Post Book World)

Flatlandhas remained of interest for over a century precisely because of its ability to engage its readers on so many different planes in so many different dimensions.

(Victorian Studies)

This reprint of Abbott's Flatland adventures contains an Introduction by Thomas Banchoff which is worth reading on its own. So if you don't have yet this book at home, go ahead and buy this edition.

(Zentralblatt MATH)--This text refers to thePaperbackedition.