A History of the Circle: Mathematical Reasoning and the Physical Universe (Hardcover)

by Ernest Zebrowski (Author) "This book is about something that doesn't physically exist..." (more)
Key Phrases: constant circle ratio, geocentric model, heliocentric model, North Star, Arctic Circle, Isaac Newton (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
After Zebrowski's well-received Perils of a Restless Planet (LJ 7/97), this new book is a disappointment. Only partially about circles, the text aims "to examine [for the general reader] the broader relationship between mathematical reasoning and the physical universe." Most of the physical examples are common ones, from historical models of the solar system to relativity theory, which standard physics and astronomy texts explain better and just as engagingly. An exception is an intriguing discussion of some techniques used in the construction of the pyramids. The level of exposition varies greatly: a whole chapter is devoted to the elementary relationships of linear dimension, area, and volume, whereas the discussion of wave phenomena uses partial differential equations. There are occasional errors, such as the statement that a neutron star comprises "billions of protons and neutrons," and curious terminology: the list of regular polyhedra repeatedly includes the hexahedron rather than the cube. The endnotes provide appropriate suggestions for further reading, some popular, some scholarly. For larger public libraries.AKristine Fowler, Mathematics Lib., Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"From a history of pi to the workings of rollers and gears, from tsunami killer waves to the elusive waves of gravity, from the atom's nucleus to the structure of the universe-here is a fascinating tour de force of all things circular. After reading Zebrowski's account, you'll get answers to everything you've always asked about the circle-and much more!" -- Eli Maor, author of e: The Story of a Number and Trigonometric Delights

"The waves at the beach, the chariot wheels of the ancient Egyptians, the swirling of millions of stars in distant galaxies, the shape of puffball mushrooms, the structure of the atoms in our own bodies-all these and many other diverse physical entities become connected when we reduce their descriptions to mathematical language. But are the connections really there, and historically valid, or are they just artifacts of our limited way of thinking mathematically? I invite you to take this little journey with me and draw your own conclusions. An enjoyable readable treatment of the interaction between mathematical ideals and physical reality. Full of good stories." -- Thomas Banchoff, author of Beyond the Third Dimension

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 215 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813526779
• ISBN-13: 978-0813526775
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #451,493 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A DECIDEDLY PLEASANT JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF SCIENCE, January 22, 2000

By	Kathleen Werner Millward "millward" (Indiana, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

The beauty of Ernest Zebrowski's book, A HISTORY OF THE CIRCLE, is that it was written for everyone, not just for science professors. The author never talks down to his readers. Clearly, Mr. Zebrowski is not just a superb scientist and mathematician: he is also a skilled writer, teacher, philospher, and historian. Like Lewis Thomas, he has a wonderful way of making science come alive. He transports you back into time and makes you feel as if you are right there watching some of the most intriging moments in human history unfold before your eyes. I learned so much from reading this book. You can pick up any chapter at random and find yourself captivated by a fascinating anecdote, a compelling biographical sketch, a thought-provoking question, or a delightful little tidbit of information. The author made me think about things I have never thought about before. Reading this book has given me a newfound appreciation for the importance of the circle as well as a newfound respect for the truly remarkable feats of our early scientists, mathematicians, and architects. So whether you're learning about the life of Albert Einstein or the death of Archimedes; whether you're trying to figure out why old fenceposts were deliberately spaced 9.417 feet apart or how how the ancient Egyptians could have possibly managed to erect thousands of 20-ton blocks 48 stories high; or whether you are discovering that an experienced hunter is often smarter than a computer or that terrified peasants rioted when the Gregorian calendar was adopted because they believed that the pope was actually stealing 10 days of their lives...you will enjoy reading, or even just skimming, A HISTORY OF THE CIRCLE. This book will change the way you look at nature: you will see things you never saw before. It might even change the way you look at yourself. I was delighted to discover, for example, that I was made of stardust, but I must say it was a bit unsettling to learn that I am now a tad older than the sun which, according to Mr. Zebrowski, is "barely middle-aged."

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what I was looking for (and I didn't even know it!), December 7, 2000

By	Autodidact Andy "IndiAndy" (Golden State California) - See all my reviews

What a delightful discovery! This book served to effortlessly broaden my knowledge about applied mathematics. I have to recommend this book to all - and especially towards those, like myself, who are frustrated with our own mathematical ignorance... I am a bit of a compulsive book buyer and I don't always make an effort to read each book in my huge collection. I'm very happy I made the time to thoroughly read this one!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zebrowski's History of the Circle is a great fun book., February 3, 2002

By A Customer

This is not a text book, but an fun read that discusses
interesting topics from physics and math.
It explains things so well that I wish I had Zebrowski as a professor or could find textbooks written by him.
I think the lengthy first review below as well as examples from the other reviews give a good idea of the contents of this book.
It's a joy to read, and to use when explaining things correctly to others.