Einstein's Heroes: Imagining the World through the Language of Mathematics - Softcover

9780195308907: Einstein's Heroes: Imagining the World through the Language of Mathematics
View all copies of this ISBN edition:
 
 
Imagine you are fluent in a magical language of prophecy, a language so powerful it can accurately describe things you cannot see or even imagine. Einstein's Heroes takes you on a journey of discovery about just such a miraculous language--the language of mathematics--one of humanity's most amazing accomplishments.
Blending science, history, and biography, this remarkable book reveals the mysteries of mathematics, focusing on the life and work of three of Albert Einstein's heroes: Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, and especially James Clerk Maxwell, whose work directly inspired the theory of relativity. Robyn Arianrhod bridges the gap between science and literature, portraying mathematics as a language and arguing that a physical theory is a work of imagination involving the elegant and clever use of this language. The heart of the book illuminates how Maxwell, using the language of mathematics in a new and radical way, resolved the seemingly insoluble controversy between Faraday's idea of lines of force and Newton's theory of action-at-a-distance. In so doing, Maxwell not only produced the first complete mathematical description of electromagnetism, but actually predicted the existence of the radio wave, teasing it out of the mathematical language itself.
Here then is a fascinating look at mathematics: its colorful characters, its historical intrigues, and above all its role as the uncannily accurate language of nature.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author:

Robyn Arianrhod is a writer and mathematician whose passion for both literature and mathematics reflects her love of language. She teaches mathematics at Monash University, where she is also an Honorary Research Associate.
Review:

"Arianrhod is an infectiously enthusiastic writer, keen for her audience both to admire Einstein's heroes and to understand their contributions to fundamental mathematical physics."--Physics Nature


"Arianrhod's achievement is to so masterfully combine history, biography, and mathematics as to absorb and enlighten even the mathematically maladroit."--Booklist


"An intriguing blend of science, history, and biography.... Arianrhod's well-written, fascinating discussion of intertwined topics not usually presented in one book aimed at general readers is highly recommended."--Library Journal (starred review)


"A thrilling story.... Arianrhod is an easy author to like, and not simply for the clarity of her narrative. She brings out the human side of the scientists. She also is a student of imaginative prose: Her explication of a novel by the Australian David Malouf helps introduce ideas about mathematics, and she quotes the poet William Blake to crystallize a thought about Maxwell.... Scientists' quest for knowledge is exhilarating to Arianrhod, and she conveys that to the reader."--bloombergnews.com


"Offers readers an engaging intellectual exercise combining physics, language, mathematics, and biography."--Science News


"On one level, Robyn Arianrhod's Einstein's Heroes is about the crowning achievement of classical physics--James Clerk Maxwell's understanding of electricity, magnetism, and light. But on another level, Arianrhod adeptly examines a much deeper idea: why is mathematics the language of nature and how do physicists tap the hidden power of numbers to understand the physical world? Einstein's Heroes does an admirable job of explaining the strange allure that mathematics holds over the scientists who so dramatically altered the way we look at the universe."--Charles Seife, author of Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea


"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

  • PublisherOxford University Press
  • Publication date2006
  • ISBN 10 0195308905
  • ISBN 13 9780195308907
  • BindingPaperback
  • Edition number1
  • Number of pages336
  • Rating

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780195183702: Einstein's Heroes: Imagining the World through the Language of Mathematics

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  ISBN 13:  9780195183702
Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2005
Hardcover

  • 9781840466102: Einstein's Heroes : Imagining the World Through the Language of Mathematics

    Icon B..., 2004
    Hardcover

  • 9780702234088: Einstein's Heroes

    Univ o..., 2004
    Softcover

  • 9781840466577: Einstein's Heroes: Imagining the World Through the Language of Mathematics

    Icon B..., 2005
    Softcover

Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace

Stock Image

Arianrhod, Robyn
Published by Oxford University Press (2006)
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Books Unplugged
(Amherst, NY, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Buy with confidence! Book is in new, never-used condition. Seller Inventory # bk0195308905xvz189zvxnew

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 19.83
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Arianrhod, Robyn
Published by Oxford University Press (2006)
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Softcover Quantity: 1
Seller:
Book Deals
(Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published. Seller Inventory # 353-0195308905-new

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 19.83
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Robyn Arianrhod
Published by Oxford University Press, USA (2006)
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Ergodebooks
(Houston, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: New. Seller Inventory # DADAX0195308905

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 19.86
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Arianrhod, Robyn
Published by OUP USA (2013)
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New PAP Quantity: > 20
Print on Demand
Seller:
PBShop.store US
(Wood Dale, IL, U.S.A.)

Book Description PAP. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. THIS BOOK IS PRINTED ON DEMAND. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # L0-9780195308907

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 25.04
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Arianrhod, Robyn
Published by Oxford University Press (2006)
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldenWavesOfBooks
(Fayetteville, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0195308905

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 21.95
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Arianrhod, Robyn
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Paperback or Softback Quantity: 5
Seller:
BargainBookStores
(Grand Rapids, MI, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. Einstein's Heroes: Imagining the World Through the Language of Mathematics 0.55. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9780195308907

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 28.42
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Arianrhod, Robyn
Published by Oxford University Press (2006)
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
Wizard Books
(Long Beach, CA, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0195308905

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 25.44
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.50
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Arianrhod, Robyn
Published by Oxford University Press (2006)
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Softcover Quantity: > 20
Seller:
Lucky's Textbooks
(Dallas, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Condition: New. Seller Inventory # ABLIING23Feb2215580035925

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 26.03
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Stock Image

Arianrhod, Robyn
Published by Oxford University Press (2006)
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Seller:
GoldBooks
(Austin, TX, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0195308905

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 26.96
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds
Seller Image

Robyn Arianrhod
ISBN 10: 0195308905 ISBN 13: 9780195308907
New Paperback Quantity: 1
Print on Demand
Seller:
Grand Eagle Retail
(Wilmington, DE, U.S.A.)

Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. Imagine you are fluent in a magical language of prophecy, a language so powerful it can accurately describe things you cannot see or even imagine. Einstein's Heroes takes you on a journey of discovery about just such a miraculous language--the language of mathematics--one of humanity's most amazing accomplishments. Blending science, history, and biography, this remarkable book reveals the mysteries of mathematics, focusing on the life and workof three of Albert Einstein's heroes: Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, and especially James Clerk Maxwell, whose work directly inspired the theory of relativity. Robyn Arianrhod bridges the gap between scienceand literature, portraying mathematics as a language and arguing that a physical theory is a work of imagination involving the elegant and clever use of this language. The heart of the book illuminates how Maxwell, using the language of mathematics in a new and radical way, resolved the seemingly insoluble controversy between Faraday's idea of lines of force and Newton's theory of action-at-a-distance. In so doing, Maxwell not only produced the first complete mathematical description ofelectromagnetism, but actually predicted the existence of the radio wave, teasing it out of the mathematical language itself. Here then is a fascinating look at mathematics: its colorfulcharacters, its historical intrigues, and above all its role as the uncannily accurate language of nature. Blending science, history, and biography, this remarkable book illuminates the life and work of three of Albert Einstein's heroes: Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday, and especially James Clerk Maxwell, whose work directly inspired the theory of relativity. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780195308907

More information about this seller | Contact seller

Buy New
US$ 34.05
Convert currency

Add to Basket

Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

There are more copies of this book

View all search results for this book