Edward has done an amazing thing - he has translated the concepts of advanced mathematics into an every day language that, with a little reflection, makes deeply difficult concepts readily accessible to the interested reader. Edward shows us that mathematics is not at all the solving equations that we did in school, but rather a whole world of deeply creative ideas that enables us to better understand our world.
As someone deeply passionate about mathematics, but having very little talent, this book was able to open very many doors of understanding for me that previously were closed.
The mathematics in here is not conceptually dumbed down and readers should expect to think and reflect to get the full value from the book.
Stylistically the book alternates often between an autobiographical chapter and then a beautiful exposition of the mathematics Edward was studying. I disagree entirely with reviewers who have said the book is too autobiographical or that it is self-congratulatory. It is very clearly a passionate and cheerful exposition of Edward's favorite mathematics, which is balanced beautifully with his fascinating and interesting autobiography as a mathematician.
There are many ways to read this book and benefit - however I find that because the mathematics he is discussing is so advanced, it will probably appeal most to people who are interested or intrigued with mathematics (and quantum physics). It will help mathematicians explain their concepts in simpler language, and help lay people understand part of why mathematics is so beautiful and powerful.
The topics include group theory, knot theory, analysis, number theory, sheaf theory, abstract algebra, gauge theory, and the laglands program which ties many of these ideas together.
While the book succeeds in presenting extremely advanced mathematical ideas in very simple language, any passionate reader should read the book multiple times to truly absorb the concepts and see the connections at a deeper level.
For a comparison - The book is nowhere near as challenging, rigorous, or complicated as roger penrose's road to reality. At the same time, it is more conceptually focused than ian stewart's books. It is more rigorous than Steven Stroglat'z 'joy of x' - All of these characteristics form its strength - I will happily recommend this book to anyone interested in mathematics or wanting to understand quantum physics better.
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This book's Kindle rendering is broken
I purchased the Kindle version of this book. It's an appealing combination of memoir and mathematics. But the occasional mathematical formulas, which are a key part of the exposition, are so tiny as to be unreadable. Increasing the size of the font makes no difference, whether on a Kindle or an Android reader. I have attached a screenshot that shows an example, but look closely; the formula follows "cubic equation". -- I am giving this book four stars only because I do not want to discourage readers of the paper version.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2015
- Reviewed in the United States on December 15, 2013
- Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2013
Top reviews from other countries
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- André GargouraReviewed in France on December 9, 2024
An invitation to love maths...
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- Mark VainchteinReviewed in Canada on November 19, 2017
so I hope it will like the book
