Customer Reviews

Applied Chaos Theory: A Paradigm for Complexity

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is more like a historical perspective of the development of the concepts of chaos theory than a deep coverage of chaos theory. Emphasis is on introducing the concepts for allowing interested people to get into advanced theoretical developments (and practical too). However there are some scientific prerequisites (physics, dynamical systems...).

Writing is very good, intuitive, does not assume any particular mathematical background or practice with tools for simulating chaotic systems. Exposition is rather short because of a scientific writing style, it's not about scientific popularization (don't feel this is pedantic, writing is concise and not meant to be crowded with examples). In its approach, i think it's the smoothest scientific introductory book on the subject. For example Schroeder's (Fractals chaos and power laws) is overly mathematical as an introduction. Williams' (chaos theory tamed) on the other hand has a similar approach to this one but it is longer, more general and with less emphasis on the applied side of chaos theory (the analytic side). From an economical point of view, William's is cheaper while covers more about chaos theory, but this volume is scientifically better and more useful than Williams', which is too "generalistic".

In summary : a very good self-contained and short introduction to chaos theory. But for a first book on chaos theory go to Williams, it's easier to read.

The book has some fine features. But it doesn't explain anything. So, if you already know about chaos and want to read a brief review then probably it is ok (but read ahead). If you don't know about chaos you'll get lost.

The book is too expensive for what it offers!!.

Not a bad survey. Well written and easy enough for any layman to understand. This is a survey that puts the author's uniqique synthesis of some rather broad and difficult fields into words and he does a good job of it. After reading this book you will not only have a good handle on what chaos is or isn't but how it has emerged from seemingly dipsarate fields of science.