To Infinity and Beyond: A Cultural History of the Infinite [Paperback]

Eli Maor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Fascinating and enjoyable . . . [P]laces the ideas of infinity in a cultural context and shows how they have been espoused and molded by mathematics. -- Review

Product Description

Eli Maor examines the role of infinity in mathematics and geometry and its cultural impact on the arts and sciences. He evokes the profound intellectual impact the infinite has exercised on the human mind--from the "horror infiniti" of the Greeks to the works of M. C. Escher; from the ornamental designs of the Moslems, to the sage Giordano Bruno, whose belief in an infinite universe led to his death at the hands of the Inquisition. But above all, the book describes the mathematician's fascination with infinity--a fascination mingled with puzzlement. "Maor explores the idea of infinity in mathematics and in art and argues that this is the point of contact between the two, best exemplified by the work of the Dutch artist M. C. Escher, six of whose works are shown here in beautiful color plates."--Los Angeles Times "[Eli Maor's] enthusiasm for the topic carries the reader through a rich panorama."--Choice "Fascinating and enjoyable.... places the ideas of infinity in a cultural context and shows how they have been espoused and molded by mathematics."--Science

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Princeton University Press; illustrated edition edition (July 9, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0691025118
• ISBN-13: 978-0691025117
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #68,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

  #32 in

  Books > Science > Mathematics > Pure Mathematics > Logic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Infinite in Nature, June 1, 2001

By	J. Grupp (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Infinity and Beyond: A Cultural History of the Infinite (Paperback)

Maor titles his book "a cultural study," but the cultural work domainates the second half of the book. The first half--which is more interesting than the second half--is a truly amazing analysis of just what the infinite is. Maor goes into detailed discussion of the nature of infinity in prime numbers, irrationals, rationals, and so on. The patterns, surprises, and mysteries of number fields are discussed with perfect clarity. Other issues involving infinity are mapped with equal precision and clarity for the beginner. The second half of the book involves studying the infinite in Escher's art, in geometric systems before and after Euclid, and in art, theology, science, singularities, and etc. Overall, for those interested in the mecahnics of nature, this book is not to be passed up!!! But be cautioned, this book is for beginners, for those only interested in grasping basic concepts of mathematics, not intense formulas that lead to singularities, for example. I am a graduate student in philosophy, so it served my purposes to the maximum level.

45 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What do Nothingness and Infinity have in common?, December 27, 1999

By	Timothy J. Spencer (Federal Way, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: To Infinity and Beyond: A Cultural History of the Infinite (Paperback)

Maor is thoroughly at home in the realm of mathematics, its history and the frequent detours into the lives of the men who have brought its secrets to light. To Infinity and Beyond is a lighter read than either e, the Story of a Number or Trignometric Delights (his two previous titles). However, this work is infinitely enlightening and exponentially chocked full of "aha's". Maor enriches the reader's understanding not only of mathematics but the culture in which it has flourished. An absorbing read.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The finest generally accessible math book I have seen., August 4, 2001

By	Not a Clue (Redondo Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Infinity and Beyond: A Cultural History of the Infinite (Paperback)

I have read other books by Eli Maor. After "June 8, 2004", I had doubts about this one, but I wanted to clarify some Cantorian issues. Once I started this one, I could not put it down. It also answered my questions.

Most, if not all of the material should be accessible to a motivated high school senior. It presents the history of infinity in a manner as fascinating as a mystery or adventure story (a true one, better than fiction); it reminds me of "Terrible Lizards" in that sense. Interspersed with the historical narrative, but easily separable, it contains good solid mathematics in a clear and concise fashion. Only the section on Bertrand Russell's paradoxes failed to satisfy.