Customer Reviews

The Arabic Version of Euclid's Optics: Edited and Translated with Historical Introduction and Commentary

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This arabic translation (translated into English, of course) lacks the easily accesible style of "The Elements", and the book is much smaller. The method is much the same as in "The Elements"-logical steps to solve optical problems, in a basically geometrical manner.
All propositions (as in "Elements") are still true (the laws of optics have not changed), and therefore this is a worthwhile science text even now. There are of course other branches of optical study not even touched on here (such as how the eye works), and even the "line of vision" based problems presented here can be extended. Nevertheless, this is a masterpiece, because (A) it's good science, and (B) it involves the reader in such a way as to make him truly understand. This, like all Euclidean books I am aware of, is a puzzle book. Take the time and solve the problems on your own: You'll learn more than optics, you'll learn organized logical thinking.
One other note: This book is supposedly older than "Elements", but some knowledge of geometry is really needed before tackling "Optics". A working knowledge of the "Elements", particularly Book One, should do the trick.