Euclid's Window

The Story of Geometry from Parallel Lines to Hyperspace

By: Leonard Mlodinow

Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Through Euclid's Window Leonard Mlodinow brilliantly and delightfully leads us on a journey through five revolutions in geometry, from the Greek concept of parallel lines to the latest notions of hyperspace. Here is an altogether new, refreshing, alternative history of math revealing how simple questions anyone might ask about space -- in the living room or in some other galaxy -- have been the hidden engine of the highest achievements in science and technology.

Based on Mlodinow's extensive historical research; his studies alongside colleagues such as Richard Feynman and Kip Thorne; and interviews with leading physicists and mathematicians such as Murray Gell-Mann, Edward Witten, and Brian Greene, Euclid's Window is an extraordinary blend of rigorous, authoritative investigation and accessible, good-humored storytelling that makes a stunningly original argument asserting the primacy of geometry. For those who have looked through Euclid's Window, no space, no thing, and no time will ever be quite the same.

©2009 Leonard Mlodinow (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

entertaining to the interested reader

I thought the author did an excellent job---particularly with the history up through Gauss---of crafting an interesting "story" out of the history of Geometry. Lots of fun anecdotes, many of which were new to me, and I think would be of interest to a reader interested in the subject.

I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but for someone who likes interesting non-fiction, it's not bad.

goes well beyond Euclid

If you just want to know about Euclid the stop after the first three chapters. Discussion on Einstein helped me explain Relativity to my spouse in general terms. Area on Newton was OK but left out other contributors of the Age. I plan a second listen soon. More on the Ancients would have been nice since that is what I expected from the title.

Good book!

The author of this book was surprisingly funny. He did a good job bringing you through the history of geometry. I just have one question, Wheres Euler?

About the math not the people

I think as an audible text, may have been more engaging if it were more biographical. Probably a 4 star book if read from paper.

Fascinating

Very interesting history plus a terrific explanation of the chain of scientific discoveries that lead to Einstein's famous theories as well as cutting edge of today's theories.

A thoroughly entertaining survey of geometry.

What did you love best about Euclid's Window?

The author accomplishes a masterful survey of geometry from the beginning of time until today. I know, you are already yawning; that is probably because your high school geometry teacher was like mine. The level of detail was a perfect amalgam of accuracy and clarity. The historical characters he introduces throughout have more dimensions than just their mathematical prowess. These people, like his examples, are multi-dimensional and, in general, quite relevant.

A good book for the student (high-school or above) or adult who merely wants a better understanding of the geometry that permeates our experience.

Surprisingly accessible

The author does an excellent job of bringing subject matter from the realm of math and physics PhD's to those of us who can grasp the concepts but lack the training and tools to apply them. I enjoyed the narrator's performance and thought the dry wit of the author hit the right tone.

I especially enjoyed the historical connections and practical examples that were not difficult to visualize even without looking at text.

Educational and fun

Wish this book was written twenty years ago--a much more enjoyable way to learn a lot of the math history I picked up from much drier books.

Geometry Plus Humor = Knowledge Remembered!

I really enjoyed listening to this audible edition from Leonard Mlodinow. Who would have thought education could be so entertaining. At first I thought that the narrator Robert Blumenfeld might be expressing some of his own views as he is overly engaged in helping you to love the topics. The stories of Leonard's two young sons, Alexei & Nicolai, and Mom add a wonderful family touch to expanding our understanding though humor. To some, this type of story telling might be less appealing, but for me as a single father I have experienced very similar times in my life with my kids. I hope you enjoy learning as much as I do. This adventure will begin with the origin of numbers and proceed through our current century. Most of the greatest mathematicians are represented. I have listened several times and to better understand the math & have purchased the hard copy also as a reference. Having a PDF of the presentations would have made this much easier the first time. The Narrator has done an excellent job with his expressions. It's as if you are listening to Leonard tell the story himself. 5 Stars for all categories from me.

Great Performance

Making Hyperbolic Geometry fun and interesting to the general reader deserves a great review. In the next edition replace "Jesuits" and "Franciscans" with "Benedictines" and give examples of (actual) modern geometrical reasoning in side boxes.