Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos: Discovering a New Aesthetic of Art, Science, and Nature (A Touchstone Book) [Paperback]

John Briggs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0671742175 | ISBN-13: 978-0671742171 | Publication Date: November 1, 1992

Fractals are unique patterns left behind by the unpredictable movements -- the chaos -- of the world at work. The branching patterns of trees, the veins in a hand, water twisting out of a running tap -- all of these are fractals. Learn to recognize them and you will never again see things in quite the same way.

Fractals permeate our lives, appearing in places as tiny as the surface of a virus and as majestic as the Grand Canyon. From ancient tribal peoples to modern painters to the animators of "Star Wars," artists have been captivated by fractals and have utilized them in their work. Computer buffs are wild about fractals as well, for they can be generated on ordinary home computers.

In "Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos," science writer John Briggs uses over 170 illustrations to clearly explain the significance -- and more importantly, the beauty -- of fractals. He describes how fractals were discovered, how they are formed, and the unique properties different fractals share. "Fractals" is a breathtaking guided tour of a brand new aesthetic of art, science, and nature. It will revolutionize the way you see the world and your place within it.

* Contains a special bibliography listing fractal generating software for desktop computers

Editorial Reviews

Review

David Bohm physicist and author of Wholeness and the Implicate Order With insight and simplicity, John Briggs blends together chaos theory, fractal geometry, and art in order to bring us to a greater perception of the reality unfolding and enfolding around us....Exceptionally clear about the science. -- Review

About the Author

John Briggs is a science writer with a Ph.D. in Aesthetics and Psychology. His work has appeared in Omni, and he is the author of Fire in the Crucible and coauthor of Turbulent Mirror. He is currently at wok on his next book, The Universe as a Work of Art.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (November 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671742175
• ISBN-13: 978-0671742171
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #157,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an easy to follow and lavishly illustrated guide, May 25, 2001

By 

M. H. Bayliss "book queen" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos: Discovering a New Aesthetic of Art, Science, and Nature (A Touchstone Book) (Paperback)

I don't know enough about the mathematics of fractals to agree with the reader below who points out the author's lack of qualifications, but even with small mistakes like those, the book is a terrific introduction that requires no technical background. The author does an excellent job explaining not just how fractals were discovered and how to calculate them, but also how artists, writers, poets, and scientist use this information to explain and interpret the world around them. Most books I've read on fractals have a narrow focus. Also, with so many illustrations (this is a gorgeous book), layman explanations and far reaching applications, even the average reader can appreciate the beauty and power of fractals. I could not put it down and then had to start all over again!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating introduction to fractals, July 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos: Discovering a New Aesthetic of Art, Science, and Nature (A Touchstone Book) (Paperback)

I just finished this book and wanted something to introduce me to fractal geomerty and chaos theory without having to be a mathematician, physicist, etc. This book is a fascinating trip through the fractal world we live in, written in layman's language, with lots of gorgeous pictures from the worlds of nature, art, science, computer graphics, and space. It describes clearly how these worlds interact, how fractal geometry differs from traditional geometry and how we're on the brink of exciting new discoveries. The ultimate recommendation is I got it for my dad (a retired math teacher) for Father's Day and he really liked it! Easy to read and leaves you anxious for more.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No math, good as an introduction, February 29, 2000

By 

Justo S. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos: Discovering a New Aesthetic of Art, Science, and Nature (A Touchstone Book) (Paperback)

You will not learn how to make a fractal in this book, but it will make you be interested in the field. The pictures are really a marvelous example of fractals and their explanation is just nice. I've bought one for me and one as a present.