76 of 77 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Just About Mathematics, May 22, 2001
This review is from: Sacred Geometry (Wooden Books) (Hardcover)
For those who are interested in plane geometry this book is a fun read. For those who are studying the ancient mysteries of Pythagoras, the Kabbala, Hermeticism, Freemasonry and the Alchemists this is a very worthwhile book. The author is aware of the influence that geometry had on the ancient world. She is quite good at giving the reader things to try on their own while explaining the concepts of Ancient and Esoteric geometry. When compared to "Sacred Geometry", by Robert Lawler, this book is not quite as comprehensive but is easier to read and more fun. Both books appeal to the same audience. Try this one first, then move on to Lawler.
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247 of 264 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Looks nice, but the content is weak, April 22, 2002
This review is from: Sacred Geometry (Wooden Books) (Hardcover)
This is a very attractive-looking book, and I am very happy if it can make some people more appreciative about mathematicas. But if you are looking for correct info about mathematics or its role in art and culture, then this is not the place to look.
Most of the claims you read about the golden ratio in art and architecture are not valid. The best source of info is the paper "Misconceptions about the golden ratio" by George Markowsky from the College Mathematics Journal v. 23 (1992), 2-19.
If you are interested in the pyramids, please read "The shape of the great pyramid" by Roger Herz-Fischler. Just do it! You will thank me for it!
She claims that there are 14 "demi-regular tilings" of the plane. She defines demiregular to be a tiling (edge-to-edge of regular polygons) with two or three different types of vertices. According to "Tilingss and Patterns" by Grunbaum and Shephard, there are 20 2-uniform tilings and 61 3-uniform tilings.
If you are bothered by statements like "It is nearly impossible to draw a precise heptagon using ruler and compasses alone", then this book is not for you.
Her pictures of the 17 wallpaper groups is wrong. She gives two examples of p1, but misses out on p4g.
Having said this, I must say again that she has a lot of beautiful material in the book. I just think that it is important to be mathematically and historically correct.
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64 of 68 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I just loved this book, May 26, 2002
This review is from: Sacred Geometry (Wooden Books) (Hardcover)
This book is a treasure. I was given it as a present and I find myself turning to it for all sorts of ideas and also give it as a present quite regularly. She has managed to pull together a huge amount of wonderful information into a relatively small space. This is an inspiring, beautiful, thought provoking and even useful book. I am a graphic and fabrics designer and I had not come across some of these things before so I am very grateful for them.
I also really like the way the book is put together, lush textured paper (recycled I note) and quality illustrations. The way the subject is built up stage by stage until we reach the more complex set pieces at the back is very good. It helps you understand the basics of good design, and the use of geometry in this process.
I think the new-age overtones work very well too. She manages to convey some of the real mystery and magic of the field while never losing sight of the practical purpose of it all.
Highly recommended.
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