On August 10, 1632, five men in flowing black robes convened in a somber Roman palazzo to pass judgment on a deceptively simple proposition: that a continuous line is composed of distinct and infinitely tiny parts. In Infinitesimal, Amir Alexander puts this fascinating battle in historical and intellectual context.Pulsing with drama and excitement, Infinitesimal celebrates the spirit of discovery, innovation, and intellectual achievement-and it will forever change the way you look at a simple line. Yet this is precisely what happened in the seventeenth century. 'You may find it hard to believe that illustrious mathematicians, philosophers, and religious thinkers would engage in a bitter dispute over infinitely small quantities. The history of mathematics has rarely been so readable.' - Michael Harris, Professor of Mathematics, Columbia University and Universite Paris Diderot 'A seamless synthesis of cultural history and storytelling. Jacob, Distinguished Professor of History, University of California, Los Angeles Now this remarkable book puts the deeply subversive doctrine of atomism and its accompanying mathematics at the heart of modern science.' - Margaret C. 'We thought we knew the whole story: Copernicus, Galileo, the sun in the centre, the Church rushing to condemn.
INFINITESIMALS BOOK FULL
A page-turner full of fascinating stories about the struggles of remarkable individuals and ideas, Infinitesimal will help you understand the world at a deeper level.' - Edward Frenkel, Professor, University of California at Berkeley, and author of Love and Math Amir Alexander writes with elegance and verve. You will never look at calculus the same way again.' - Jordan Ellenberg, Professor of Mathematics, University of Wisconsin-Madison Amir Alexander vividly recreates a wonderfully strange chapter of scientific history. 'A real-world Da Vinci Code' * Publishers Weekly * 'Clever and enthralling.' - Simon Schaffer, Professor of the History of Science, University of Cambridge
'A gripping tale of mathematical, philosophical, and theological controversies in the run-up to calculus.' * Ian Stewart, author of Professor Stewart's Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities * " high drama and thrilling tension." * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) * fascinating narrative." * New York Times * Amir Alexander shows that mathematics can also become entangled in ugliness hot and messy. "Bertrand Russell once wrote that mathematics had a 'beauty cold and austere'.
'Amir Alexander's enthralling book presents a controversial mathematical breakthrough, vividly describing the players and showing exactly what was at stake.' * Tony Mann, Director of the Maths Centre, University of Greenwich and Former President of the British * Alexander does an excellent job of presenting both sides of the debate.' * THES Book of the Week * 'A complex story told with skill and verve. Infinitesimal will inspire you to dig deeper into the implications of the philosophy of mathematics and knowledge' * New Scientist * 'A gripping and thorough history of the ultimate triumph of the mathematical tool.
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