Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos: Discovering a New Aesthetic of Art, Science, and Nature (A Touchstone Book) | 
 enlarge | Author: John Briggs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Category: Book
List Price: $23.00
Buy Used: $10.72
You Save: $12.28 (53%)
New (5) Used (27) Collectible (3) from $10.72
Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 37257
Media: Paperback
Pages: 192
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.1
Dimensions (in): 11.9 x 9.8 x 0.6
ISBN: 0671742175
Dewey Decimal Number: 514.74
EAN: 9780671742171
Publication Date: November 1, 1992
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: NO JUNK book is very good, has small tear bottom binding area that has been repaired, rest of the book in like new shape, nice and clean, no other marks, tears, or creases, next day ship
| |
| Similar Items:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Fractals are unique patterns left behind by the unpredictable movements -- the chaos -- of the world at work. The branching patterns of trees, the veins in a hand, water twisting out of a running tap -- all of these are fractals. Learn to recognize them and you will never again see things in quite the same way. Fractals permeate our lives, appearing in places as tiny as the surface of a virus and as majestic as the Grand Canyon. From ancient tribal peoples to modern painters to the animators of Star Wars, artists have been captivated by fractals and have utilized them in their work. Computer buffs are wild about fractals as well, for they can be generated on ordinary home computers. In Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos, science writer John Briggs uses over 170 illustrations to clearly explain the significance -- and more importantly, the beauty -- of fractals. He describes how fractals were discovered, how they are formed, and the unique properties different fractals share. Fractals is a breathtaking guided tour of a brand new aesthetic of art, science, and nature. It will revolutionize the way you see the world and your place within it. * Contains a special bibliography listing fractal generating software for desktop computers
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 an easy to follow and lavishly illustrated guide May 25, 2001
M. H. Bayliss
32 out of 33 found this review helpful
I don't know enough about the mathematics of fractals to agree with the reader below who points out the author's lack of qualifications, but even with small mistakes like those, the book is a terrific introduction that requires no technical background. The author does an excellent job explaining not just how fractals were discovered and how to calculate them, but also how artists, writers, poets, and scientist use this information to explain and interpret the world around them. Most books I've read on fractals have a narrow focus. Also, with so many illustrations (this is a gorgeous book), layman explanations and far reaching applications, even the average reader can appreciate the beauty and power of fractals. I could not put it down and then had to start all over again!
fascinating introduction to fractals July 10, 1998
20 out of 21 found this review helpful
I just finished this book and wanted something to introduce me to fractal geomerty and chaos theory without having to be a mathematician, physicist, etc. This book is a fascinating trip through the fractal world we live in, written in layman's language, with lots of gorgeous pictures from the worlds of nature, art, science, computer graphics, and space. It describes clearly how these worlds interact, how fractal geometry differs from traditional geometry and how we're on the brink of exciting new discoveries. The ultimate recommendation is I got it for my dad (a retired math teacher) for Father's Day and he really liked it! Easy to read and leaves you anxious for more.
Patterns to Inspire - A Captivating Look into Fractals October 31, 2004
M. Westerfield (Burlington, VT)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
This book brings a comprehensive and visually intriguing approach to the study of fractal geometry and the chaos theory. Through thought provoking imagery and discernible explanations & comparisons, John Briggs has sparked my curiosity where I now look more closely at the world around me. I believe this book is intended to captivate those with the ability to visualize and appreciate the aesthetics and interconnectedness of the arts, sciences and the natural phenomena that surrounds us. An insightful & visually stimulating read!
Beautiful and informative March 27, 2000
18 out of 22 found this review helpful
As a teacher of science, I found Briggs's work to be a good example of accessible writing about a subject which, although of interest to many, is made abstruse by too many writers. The disdainful attitude towards the public of an unfortunate number of people in the sciences, including one who has posted here, is one reason that sciences are not as well-funded as they might be with greater popular support. Bravo for Briggs for bringing science to the average intelligent and curious reader.
staggeringly beautiful January 9, 2008
Mick (Eastern Seaboard)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Technically this book is good. The images, however, are staggeringly beautiful. I think Dr. Briggs teaches esthetics, which is the study of beauty. Of any book on fractals I have read, this is by far the most beautiful. I really liked this book, so much I donated it to the library of my alma mater.
|
|
|
