The Bones: A Handy, Where-to-find-it Pocket Reference Companion to Euclid's Elements (Paperback)

by Thomas L. Heath Translation (Author)
Key Phrases: first apotome, medial whole, first bimedial, Book Ten, Book Eleven, Book One (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Bones, a concise overview of Euclid's Elements, provides all the propositions and diagrams without the detailed proofs. Readers can use it to see the scope and structure of Elements, identify exactly what Euclid covers and what he doesn't, and to find the location of remembered propositions. The Table of Contents lists the subject matter of each book, number of propositions, and locations of definitions, to further assist the reader in seeing the scope and structure of Elements and to examine Euclid's treatment of specific areas. Equally at home in backpack or pocket, on desk or bedside table, it has enjoyable possibilities limited only by your imagination.

About the Author
Euclid is the most celebrated mathematician of all time. He lived in the third or fourth century B. C. E., after Plato but before Apollonius of Perga. His fame rests preeminently upon the Elements, which he wrote in thirteen books and which is said to have exercised an influence on the human mind greater than that of any other work except the Bible.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Green Lion Press (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888009217
• ISBN-13: 978-1888009217
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #315,596 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arguably the most significant 200 pages of published mathematics now in existence, May 13, 2007

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

This is one of those books that should be in every mathematical library, academic and personal. It contains a distillation of "Euclid's Elements"; all the common notions, definitions, postulates, and propositions. All that is missing are the proofs. As such, it is the best quick geometry reference in existence and has been placed on my reference shelf where it will remain until it is wore out and I need to purchase another copy. I would argue that it is the most significant 200 pages of published mathematics now in existence.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great companion to a great book, December 14, 2008

By	Evan C. Turner (Orlando, FL, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Euclid's "Elements" is easily one of the most important books ever assembled and "Bones" is a summary whose quality is unlikely to be surpassed. The diagrams and text are logically laid out, the printing is clear, and the cover and binding are very sturdy. Obviously a lot of effort and care went into producing this companion volume, and any fan of Euclid would be well-served by it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reviewing tool for the Elements, April 24, 2009

By	xteeve "xteeve" (Toronto) - See all my reviews

I love the elements, but because of its size, I can only read it at home, which slows me down a lot.
With this book you can bring the Elements with you everywhere. It's quite small, and thin too. I've found it very useful as a learning and reviewing tool; The format (diagram and enunciation without the proof), let you see right away if you understand each proposition. For those you understand, it's immediately obvious as the proof comes to your mind while looking at the diagram. For those you don't, it's really fun to try and come up with the proof, given the diagram is a major tip. whether you succeed or fail, it's a thrill to go back to the Full Elements, and read Euclid's proof, As your understanding is deeper. Another fun exercise when you are familiar with a proposition is trying to prove it in your mind with just the proposition. So many way to use this book, I'm wondering why no one had the idea before. With, this you Can master this timeless classic in a fun way.