Armchair Universe: An Exploration of Computer Worlds (Paperback)

by A. K. Dewdney (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A collection of A.K. Dewdney's columns from "Scientific American" lets the reader try dozens of recreations, from sci-fi games to intergalactic graphics to practical applications of scientific thought.

Product Details

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company (January 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716719398
• ISBN-13: 978-0716719397
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,611,223 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Engaging Journey Through Computer Worlds, April 14, 1999

By	WFB ([e-mail]) (Anchorage, Alaska) - See all my reviews

The Armchair Universe, a collection of A.K. Dewdney's articles in the Computer Recreations section of Scientific American, contains pages of the most interesting pursuits you'll find anywhere. With subjects such as Infinite Graphics, Mathemagadgets, Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Insanity, and Life in Automata, among others, it's guaranteed that you will find a number of thought-provoking and technically interesting articles. To enjoy the book fully, either a small amount of knowledge about computer programming, or the drive to learn is a must. The majority of articles outline simple methods for examining the curiosities put forth on your own computer. This greatly facilitates the amount of knowledge you will pick up by reading this book. Overall, this is one of the most interesting, fun books I have ever read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, entertaining, and very informative., November 4, 1998

By A Customer

This is a good, engaging book on computer and programming recreations. I am not a computer science graduate, but am a self-taught programmer. This book has introduced me to quite a number of fascinating computer science topics while giving me lots of fun in the process. The algorithms of the book make stimulating, sometimes challenging, coding practice, and often lead to pretty results on screen.

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than the others, July 21, 2008

By	R. Bagula "Roger L. Bagula" (Lakeside, Ca United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Armchair Universe (Hardcover)

Nearly ten years later on better computers Would-Be Worlds: How Simulation Is Changing the Frontiers of Science that talks about the same sort of problems: the Castni book is just not as well written, so I'd say the Dewdney book like Gardener's books
is on the way to becoming a classic. Dewdney isn't afraid to put in programs
and doesn't dumb the text down absurdly like some others.
I really liked his section on analog problem solvers.
When the problems are classic and well handled, the book
just yellow with age,
but not old.