Geometry

A Very Short Introduction

By: Maciej Dunajski

Narrated by: Liam Gerrard

The study of geometry is at least 2500 years old, and it is within this field that the concept of mathematical proof—deductive reasoning from a set of axioms—first arose. To this day geometry remains a very active area of research in mathematics.

This Very Short Introduction covers the areas of mathematics falling under geometry, starting with topics such as Euclidean and non-Euclidean geometries, and ranging to curved spaces, projective geometry in Renaissance art, and geometry of space-time inside a black hole. Starting from the basics, Maciej Dunajski proceeds from concrete examples (of mathematical objects like Platonic solids, or theorems like the Pythagorean theorem) to general principles. Throughout, he outlines the role geometry plays in the broader context of science and art.

©2022 Maciej Dunajski (P)2022 Tantor

Um, where's the PDF? No? So, where's the refund?

As one rightly suspects, an audio book on a highly visual topic like geometry is very unlikely to work. However, one can always listen to the audiobook and refer as needed to the illustrations provided in the PDF. Except... the publisher has not bothered to provide a PDF! Perhaps this was an oversight, perhaps it is to save money. In any case, I am continuing to listen and will buy a paperback. Since this means I will effectively be paying twice and rewarding the publisher for bad practice, I can at least retaliate by writing this review and, hopefully, depriving them of any further audio sales. Until they provide a PDF. Given my generosity towards the negligent publisher I do hope they will at least notify me when a PDF is available.