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The Fourth Dimension: Toward a Geometry of Higher Reality (Dover Books on Science) Paperback – Illustrated, September 17, 2014

by Rudy Rucker (Author)

4.2 91 ratings

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This is the definitive popular exploration of what the fourth dimension means, both physically and spiritually. Mathematician and science-fiction novelist Rudy Rucker takes readers on a guided tour of a higher reality that explores what the fourth dimension is and what it has meant to generations of thinkers. The exciting and challenging journey is enhanced by more than 200 illustrations and a host of puzzles and problems (with answers).
"This is an invigorating book, a short but spirited slalom for the mind." — Timothy Ferris, The New York Times Book Review
"Highly readable. One is reminded of the breadth and depth of Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach." — Science
"Anyone with even a minimal interest in mathematics and fantasy will find The Fourth Dimension informative and mind-dazzling... [Rucker] plunges into spaces above three with a zest and energy that is breathtaking." — Martin Gardner
"Those who think the fourth dimension is nothing but time should be encouraged to readThe Fourth Dimension, along with anyone else who feels like opening the hinges of his mind and letting in a bit of fresh air." — John Sladek, Washington Post Book World
"A mine of mathematical insights and a thoroughly satisfying read." — Paul Davies, Nature Magazine

From the Back Cover

This is the definitive popular exploration of what the fourth dimension means, both physically and spiritually. Mathematician and science-fiction novelist Rudy Rucker takes readers on a guided tour of a higher reality that explores what the fourth dimension is and what it has meant to generations of thinkers. The exciting and challenging journey is enhanced by more than 200 illustrations and a host of puzzles and problems (with answers).
"This is an invigorating book, a short but spirited slalom for the mind."—Timothy Ferris, The New York Times Book Review
"Highly readable. One is reminded of the breadth and depth of Hofstadter's Gödel, Escher, Bach."—Science
"Anyone with even a minimal interest in mathematics and fantasy will find The Fourth Dimension informative and mind-dazzling... [Rucker] plunges into spaces above three with a zest and energy that is breathtaking."—Martin Gardner
"Those who think the fourth dimension is nothing but time should be encouraged to readThe Fourth Dimension, along with anyone else who feels like opening the hinges of his mind and letting in a bit of fresh air."—John Sladek, Washington Post Book World
"A mine of mathematical insights and a thoroughly satisfying read."—Paul Davies, Nature Magazine
Dover (2014) republication of the edition originally published by the Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1984.
See every Dover book in print at
www.doverpublications.com

About the Author

Rudy Rucker is an American mathematician, computer scientist, philosopher, and author of 31 books of nonfiction, science fiction, and short stories. He is Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and Computer Science at San Jose State. His other Dover books are Geometry, Relativity and the Fourth Dimension, and Mind Tools: The Five Levels of Mathematical Reality.

Print length

240 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Dover Publications
Publication date

September 17, 2014
Dimensions

6 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches
ISBN-10

0486779785
ISBN-13

978-0486779782
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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; Reprint edition (September 17, 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486779785
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486779782
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.5 x 8.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #981,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #228 in Scientific Experiments & Projects
- #361 in Relativity Physics (Books)
- #3,380 in Applied Mathematics (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.2 91 ratings

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Rudy Rucker

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Rudy Rucker has written forty books, both pop science. and SF novels in the cyberpunk and transreal styles. He received Philip K. Dick awards for for the novels in his "Ware Tetralogy". His "Complete Stories," and his nonfiction "The Fourth Dimension" are standouts. He worked as a professor of computer science in Silicon Valley for twenty years. He paints works relating to his tales. His latest novel "Juicy Ghosts" is about telepathy, immortality, and a new revolution. Rudy blogs at www.rudyrucker.com/blog

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4.2 out of 5

91 global ratings

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Elise Baker

Entertaining for all

Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2011

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In 'The 4th Dimension', Rudy Rucker takes a concept that could potentially be made frightfully technical and - through the use of snippets of fiction, humorous drawings (I believe the illustrator also did drawings for many of James Thurber's works), and down-to-earth language - makes it accessible to anyone. I've handed my copy to people who absolutely hated math, and they have been able to come away with at least a basic understanding. As someone who adores math, I found the analogies entertaining without being 'dumbed down'.

8 people found this helpful

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Gradient Vector Field

Thinking in four spatial dimensions

Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2009

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I think this is, quite possibly, one of the best books I've read on the fourth dimension. For those saying "but the fourth dimension is time", all I have to say is, no, not in this case. We're discussing four spatial dimensions, which we can only really represent with mathematics in our three dimensional world. Naturally this is written by a mathematician and he did quite an exquisite job at explaining the nature of this utterly foreign dimension.

Now readers won't walk away being able to picture four dimensional beings or structures, but one will be able to grasp a fairly general understanding of what it would be like for a four dimensional being or object to exist and interact with our dimension. Naturally Rucker does this by explaining the relations between the dimensions by changing our perspective and having us think two dimensionally. For this he relies heavily on a book written by Edwin Abbott called "Flatland". I highly recommend you read "Flatland" before you attempt to tackle Rucker's book, as he constantly quotes "Flatland", almost to his books detriment. He also quotes other texts like "Spaceland" (which Rucker also wrote) or "Flatterland" here and there, but the one he relies upon most is "Flatland". "Flatland" is a natural and easy introduction to learning how to think from the perspective of a different dimension and helps the reader to fully grasp Rucker's analogy as he projects the relationship from the second and third dimensions to a relationship between the third and the fourth dimension. Naturally he points out that some of these points are mere conjecture as we cannot observe fourth dimensional objects in our reality... yet. "The 4th Dimension" is also illustrated with all kinds of silly cartoons to give the book a much lighter feel to its fairly heavy topic. The illustrations will certainly help anyone who really needs to see a drawing of some of the concepts Rucker talks about.

I was originally introduced to some of these concepts via Michio Kaku's book "Hyperspace". While he did a pretty good job explaining four spatial dimensions, I think this book really delves into it a lot deeper. The reader walks away with a much fuller understanding of the concepts concerning this different dimension. Not only will you learn about this, Rucker also goes through a very interesting history concerning humanity's fascination with things beyond our own dimension. He delves into metaphysics and explanations for ghosts as well as recounting the mathematical history (which is the real mainstay of this book). The spiritual aspects of this book are more anecdotal to help give the reader some historical or philosophical perspective in lieu of the mathematics.

If you're really curious about the possibility of other spatial dimensions then this book is a great read. The physics and universe research may be a little outdated by this point since the book originally came out in the 1980's, but it's application in helping a person think of how the fourth dimensional being would react is still applicable. While I'm pretty sure it's agreed that there are more than three spatial dimensions in existence, this book still treats that aspect as if there's still a major debate going on about it. After finding absolute proof of Black Holes in the universe, I think the multi-dimensional universe (or multiverse) concept is pretty realistic, since if the Black Hole singularity transcends our space and time... it has to go somewhere! Anyway, don't forget to read "Flatland" before you pick this up and I think people will find this a fun and informative read.

24 people found this helpful

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Tesfaye

Best book

Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2021

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One of the best book I have ever read about the fourth dimension.

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Kevin S. Decker

A variety of Fourth Dimensions!

Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2020

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Bought this to teach a “Doctor Who & Philosophy” course—perfect!

One person found this helpful

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Arianne

Different from what I expected.

Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2019

Verified Purchase

Potential readers want to take the title literally; this IS a geometrically directed book. Some reference I read recently seemed to suggest a tie-in to alternative realities from which I inferred a metaphysical sort of book, which is why I ordered it. NOT. At least not unless equations and diagrams suggest metaphysics to you, I guess. I'm sure for the mathematically inclined this is a fascinating book. For which it might be worthy of five stars. But for me, not what I was hoping for. That's not the author's fault, of course. Speaking favorably, I did go through the entire book in one afternoon easily enough. When the math overwhelmed me, I simply skipped on to where I felt I could follow again. Toward the end, I was on stable enough footing to argue with him in the margins. Author does offer many amusing anecdotes, which help illustrate his material. If you have familiarity with some major philosophers, a basic bit of quantum, and concepts of alternative realities, you will probably find something of interest, but if you're looking to have your imagination stretched, I didn't find that here.

7 people found this helpful

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Patrick Bakker

Nice intro to 4-D

Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2003

I bought this book about ten years ago, and recently rediscovered it. It is full of nice (though very simplistic) illustrations and lots of references to other books and writers that touch the subject. Not very profound, but enough to tickle the mind and awaken interest for futher investigation into this realm. Rucker has obviously read a lot on this matter and he has made me want the same.

3 people found this helpful

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Brian J.

Great book!

Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2014

Verified Purchase

Nothing much to add. Just a great interesting read that's simple and concise. I will check out some of the writer's other books as well.

One person found this helpful

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Didier Avousten

very good

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2019

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very good

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D. Yancey

Enlightening

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2019

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Extremely enlightening. Excerpts from well-known philosophers, psychiatrists, mathematicians, and others make this interesting book even more interesting.

One person found this helpful

MURALI MOHAN PASUMARTY

One more for personal library

Reviewed in India on December 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

Another of my faves ... a difficult topic explained lucidly by the author

Rajat

Four Stars

Reviewed in India on December 27, 2015

Verified Purchase

Language is tuff
But thought are nice

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