This book serves as an introduction catalogue to some of the many facets of geometrical and other patterns. It is informal, and the intended audience spans several fields. The book might be used by students, graphic artists, illustrators, scientists, artists, laypeople, programmers or anyone fascinated by optically provocative art. "The Pattern Book" combines old and new ideas - with emphasis on the fun that the true pattern lover finds in doing, rather than in reading about the doing! The book is organized into three main parts: Representing Nature (for those patterns which describe or show real physical phenomena, eg. visualizations of protein motion, jellyfish, etc), Mathematics and Symmetry (for those patterns which describe or show mathematical behaviour, eg. fractals), and Human Art (for those patterns which are artistic works of humans and made without the aid of a computer eg. Moslem tiling patterns). A comprehensive glossary is included to help ease readers into technical or unfamiliar waters.
From my publisher:
Clifford A. Pickover received his Ph.D. from Yale University and is the author of over 30 books on such topics as computers and creativity, art, mathematics, black holes, religion, human behavior and intelligence, time travel, alien life, and science fiction.
Pickover is a prolific inventor with dozens of patents, is the associate editor for several journals, the author of colorful puzzle calendars, and puzzle contributor to magazines geared to children and adults.
WIRED magazine writes, "Bucky Fuller thought big, Arthur C. Clarke thinks big, but Cliff Pickover outdoes them both." According to The Los Angeles Times, "Pickover has published nearly a book a year in which he stretches the limits of computers, art and thought."
The Christian Science Monitor writes, "Pickover inspires a new generation of da Vincis to build unknown flying machines and create new Mona Lisas." Pickover's computer graphics have been featured on the cover of many popular magazines and on TV shows.
His web site, Pickover.Com, has received millions of visits. His Blog RealityCarnival.Com is one of his most popular sites.
