The Mathematical Universe: An Alphabetical Journey Through the Great Proofs, Problems, and Personalities

Of course, it is impossible to cover the entire range of mathematics in a book such as this but Dunham has chosen well. He sticks mainly to the fundementals of the major fields. In addition, his book reminds us that people with personalities have developed mathematics and that it's not a field created merely to strike fear into the hearts of schoolkids (and adults).

This book will always hold a special place for me: it was the catalyst for an epiphany. I had been teaching high school geometry for a few years when this book came out and I was very good at teaching the modern methods of proof and problem-solving. On the other hand, I didn't really like teaching constructions, because, though I could do them quite well, I didn't truly understand their place and function in geometry and its development. When I first read chapter "G" of this book ("Greek Geometry"), however, it was like a thousand puzzle pieces fell into place and I knew more than how to do constructions, I understood them and was able to teach them more effectively.

If you have any interest in mathematics at all, I recommend this book. It will not disappoint.


Very Entertaining and informative   May 5, 2003
Francisco Coutinho (Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo Brazil)
4 out of 7 found this review helpful

This book is perhaps the most entertaining popularization I ever came across.The book uses a minimum of mathematical technics to explain a lot of interesting problems and the genius of the men who first solved them.
Although the mathematical required is minimun , this is not a book for the complete mathematical illiterated reader


Mysteries of the Mathematical Universe Unraveled   August 31, 2001
unraveler (Nevada)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Dunham cites John Locke's opinion of math: "Mathematical proofs, like diamonds, are hard as well as clear" (page 115). The books presents a number of such hard and clear proofs. Dunham's facility as a writer makes this book enjoyable and creates the kind of historical context necessary to appreciate the importance of mathematical achievements. The book is erudite, educational, and enjoyable.


Outstanding book!   January 19, 2006
Timothy L. Raab (Powell, Ohio United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I am not a math or science wizard, but study both for recreation and fun. I did not have good maths profs in college and if I had had this book I would have been more successful. It reads easily and the math is presented extremely well and is very understandable. The author interweaves many snippets of personal and historical information and thus the book becomes a marriage of math and history in the best way possible. I have taken this book out many times to read and reread chapters. Yes, it's one of those. Buy it. No matter what your interests or educational level this will be one of those books you keep close and know where it is all the time.


A great story teller that helps you enjoy Math   May 5, 1998
Jose Ernesto Passos (Sao Paulo, SP Brazil)
This is a book that helps understand mathematics and its concepts using historical facts, bringing life to what for many is a dull science.
I certainly would have enjoyed much more my math classes(a long time ago) if I had also classes on the history of math using this book. When we know the sequence of development of mathematical concepts it gets easier to understand them.