Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions (Penguin Classics)

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Editorial reviews

Product Description
A deft mixture of social satire and science fiction that continues to pose provocative questions about perception and reality "Imagine a vast sheet of paper on which Lines, Triangles, Squares, Pentagons, Hexagons, and other figures, instead of remaining fixed in their places, move freely about, on or in the surface, but without the power of rising above or sinking below it...and you will have a pretty correct notion of my country and countrymen". So begins Edwin Abbott's delightful fable of Flatland -- a world that quite literally lacks depth. All existence is limited to length and breadth in Flatland, its inhabitants unable even to imagine a third dimension. Abbott's amiable narrator, A Square, provides an overview of this fantastic world -- its physics and metaphysics, its history, customs, and religious beliefs. But when a strange visitor mysteriously appears and transports the incredulous Flatlander to the Land of Three Dimensions, his worldview is forever shattered. Written more than a century ago, Flatland conceals within its brilliant parody of Victorian society speculations about the universe that resonate in Einstein's theory of relativity as well as the current "string-theory" of nature. "If", as Alan Lightman writes in his Introduction, "the very dimensionality of space is open to question, then what beliefs remain sacred?"

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Amazon.com Review
Unless you're a mathematician, the chances of you reading any novels about geometry are probably slender. But if you read only two in your life, these are the ones. Taken together, they form a couple of accessible and charming explanations of geometry and physics for the curious non-mathematician. Flatland, which is also available under separate cover, was published in 1880 and imagines a two-dimensional world inhabited by sentient geometric shapes who think their planar world is all there is. But one Flatlander, a Square, discovers the existence of a third dimension and the limits of his world's assumptions about reality and comes to understand the confusing problem of higher dimensions. The book is also quite a funny satire on society and class distinctions of Victorian England. The further mathematical fantasy, Sphereland, published 60 years later, revisits the world of Flatland in time to explore the mind-bending theories created by Albert Einstein, whose work so completely altered the scientific understanding of space, time, and matter. Among Einstein's many challenges to common sense were the ideas of curved space, an expanding universe and the fact that light does not travel in a straight line. Without use of the mathematical formulae that bar most non-scientists from an understanding of Einstein's theories, Sphereland gives lay readers ways to start comprehending these confusing but fundamental questions of our reality.

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Customer reviews

review by: sandra date: 2008-12-20 rating:
fun thought experiment
this is a great book to help you put your mind around other dimensions. It was cleverly written and an enjoyable read.

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review by: date: 2008-12-15 rating:
Wisdom for pennies
It's nice in this economy that you can still buy this much idea for this little money.

Here is the book that tells what it means to be a prophet.

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review by: Reny date: 2008-12-15 rating:
A fun read for those who enjoy math, politics, and puzzles
If you're obsessed with math but need a break from equations and formulas, pick up a copy of Edwin Abbott's Flatland and go to town. Published over a century ago, this book illustrates the faults of politics and nobility as it explores the delicate relations between the inhabitants of Flatland. As the book progresses it diligently explains the factors of the known dimensions, and the obstacles that separate them. This book is a great read for anyone who loves history, math, and a good laugh.

This book follows a square that is set in his ways about the world. As an inhabitant of Flatland, this square ranks as a "Professional" or "Gentleman". He is joined by every other imaginable regular figure, and all have their place in the world according to their shape. The chain of nobility begins with women, who are, as Abbott repeatedly mentions, "straight lines". Following the women are Isosceles Triangles, who make up the army and servant class. Next come Equilateral Triangles, followed by Squares, Pentagons, Hexagons, and the rest of the regular Polygons follow suit. At the top of the pyramid rests the Priestly Circles, along with Polygons made up of so many thousands of sides they appear to be circles. Each level is smarter than the previous, starting with women who are like goldfish in their mentality, and ending with the Circles who occupy the highest roles of society. The second way Abbott connects the generations is highly entertaining for me, so I'll just leave that treasure for you to discover on your own.

Abbott has a lot of fun in creating the geometric figures' way of life. For instance, he has made recognition of another figure possible by sound, sight, and touch. The women have to take special precaution due to their dangerous shape. Abbott goes to the extreme when describing their circumstances, which I believe to be rather humorous.

The second part of the book follows the Square as he is shown dimensions that are unimaginable as well as down right silly in his perspective. He's shown Lineland, the world of one dimension, in a dream. Later a figure appearing to be a magical circle shows him the way to Sphereland, the world of three dimensions. Lastly, the Square is shown the world of Pointland, a place of no dimensions consisting of simple dots. Each world evokes a different response from the Square as his mind is opened to the various spaces surrounding him.

All in all, the book was a fun read. The best part to me was Abbott's many explanatory diagrams. However, being a female I was severely disgruntled by the low intelligence and mockery of women. I did find peace in knowing that our sharp points could be the weapon of ultimate destruction, as ironic as that may be. The line of nobility definitely revealed the books age, and also evoked several strong feelings I have towards equal rights. I love how I was connected to the troubles and controversy of an older era while learning about present day mathematics. Honestly, if you are a person with strong opinions who loves to argue, this book will give you and your book club things to talk about! One factor that kept me zoned in throughout the story was the reoccurring mention of the phrase "straight line". This redundant fault of Abbott's was a rather comical feature for me, and I have to say it was interesting to see how many times it popped up.

This book is a fun way to view the world as it exists in two dimensions. The flashbacks to historical ideals make for a highly political and controversial read that will surely keep the reader interested. Once Abbott starts explaining the multiple dimensions and their connections, the book becomes a whirlwind of that "I know what I mean but I just can't explain it" feeling of frustration and determination. If you or anyone you know enjoys geometry, controversial issues, and puzzles, this book is sure to be a hit.

For hundreds of great reviews of young adult books by young adults themselves, be sure to check out notrequiredreading.com.

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review by: date: 2008-12-01 rating:
Written for all Flatlanders...like us
This book is a must have for all bonafide Flatlands fans.

First off, it has the original Flatlands classic by Edwin Abbott Abbott, the mathematician/clergyman would first took us to the world of A Square. And it also has the 1967 followup Sphereland.

It bears noting that Sphereland is but one of many follow up so Abbott's classic and because they're all good and worthy in their own right, I'll repeat them here:

Spaceland...the Rudy Rucker classic which focuses more on following up the story than the science of Abbott's original book;

Plainiverse...the Dewdney work which actually endeavors to thoroughly flesh out the physics and biological issues of what life actually would be like in 2D (for what it's worth philosopher Dan Dennett says that this is favorite take on the Flatlands theme); and

Flatland Annotated and Flatterlands...both by mathematician Ian Stewart. If I wasn't as a big of a fan of this book I probably admittedly would've stopped my collection at just these entries because the annotated version has the original Flatland in it and also because in my opinion at least Flatterlands does the best and most recent job of updating the mathematics of Flatland.

But that being said, Sphereland is a serviceable entry and does faithfully follow the A Square story...albeit two generations later...and like the original Flatland serves as a great metaphor for the desireability of open mindedness and looking past your limitations.


review by: date: 2008-10-23 rating:
Flatland
If you are looking for a book that makes you think this is the one. Written in 1867, its amazing that we are still having the problems that are embellished in this lovely book. This book helped me remember I need to be more empathic to others when they are limited in thier perception. And for me to never stop dreaming.

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