The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved

How Mathematical Genius Discovered the Language of Symmetry

By: Mario Livio

Narrated by: Tom Parks

Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

What do Bach's compositions, Rubik's Cube, the way we choose our mates, and the physics of subatomic particles have in common? All are governed by the laws of symmetry, which elegantly unify scientific and artistic principles. Yet the mathematical language of symmetry - known as group theory - did not emerge from the study of symmetry at all, but from an equation that couldn't be solved.

For thousands of years mathematicians solved progressively more difficult algebraic equations, until they encountered the quintic equation, which resisted solution for three centuries. Working independently, two great prodigies ultimately proved that the quintic cannot be solved by a simple formula. These geniuses, a Norwegian named Niels Henrik Abel and a romantic Frenchman named Évariste Galois, both died tragically young. Their incredible labor, however, produced the origins of group theory.

The first extensive, popular account of the mathematics of symmetry and order, The Equation That Couldn't Be Solved is told not through abstract formulas but in a beautifully written and dramatic account of the lives and work of some of the greatest and most intriguing mathematicians in history.

©2005 Mario Livio. (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Does not translate over to audio very well

An excellent book. However this is one that should be red with a pencil paper in hand and therefore does not translate over to audio very well

Wonderful book on a variety of topics

Allow me to start by expression frustration with Audible's arbitrary limitation of 50 characters for the review headline. Can't for all that is sacred express my intent in that many characters.

Ok, now to the book. It's a wonderful book, exploring the variety of topics. The 3 main themes of the book are the polynomic equations of a single variable and the history of attempts to solve them, the group theory, and symmetry. Those who are not familiar with these topics at least a superficial familiarity, or are not at least extremely curious about them, are likely not to enjoy the book very much, although it's full of entertaining anecdotes and creative metaphors. They are likely to get bogged down in the mathematical parts. Those who are somewhat familiar will enjoy learning in depth the history of the mathematical and physical ideas they are accustomed to, including the lives of people who gave names to all these tools and ideas. All the people whose names fly around during the calculus and algebra lectures come to life in this book.

That's as far as the content of the book is concerned. I do question the decision to release the book in the audio format, as is. First, it's pretty old - published in 2005, yet the audio version was released in 2018 with seemingly zero alterations. The Large Hadron Collider, launched in 2010, so 8 years before the audio version was published, is mentioned as a planned event. Second, the mathematical bits, when read aloud, are simply unintelligible. I do know some group theory, so I just phased out while the narrator read the various multiplication tables row after row, in a monotonous tone, but for those who are not familiar with these topics - good luck to you, you're going to need it. Clearly, a more imaginative approach to transferring the content into the audio format was called for, but it seems the author was not involved in the process, so it didn't happen. The narrator is doing as good a job as can be done, except mispronouncing some of the names (such as that of Henri Poincaré), but the result is useless. Which is a pity since the story parts are excellent.

enjoyable..but all over the place

well worth the listen.A little bit undisciplined, though. The first two chapters are throwaways, imho. But the actual stories of the Italian algebraists, then of Abel and Galois, are compelling.
The last few chapters then wander off a bit..and a bit hard to follow by ear.

Enlightening geniuses found here

I am so excited inspired by your book. Thank you for introducing and enlightening me on these wonderful people buried in the sands of time.

Riveting

Fascinating stories of some of the greatest minds to have ever lived. The book is written for everyone, not just for those who are mathematically inclined.

Historical Perspective Appreciated

I was very enrapt in the history and personal perspective of this book, as well as the detailed explanation of group theory and how it evolved. Thanks for a wonderful 12 hours of listening.

Sad stories, complex math, good read

I needed to get a copy of the book to see some of the patterns made by tables. but really neat book if you are comfortable with some hard ideas in math.

4/5

I enjoyed most of this, and struggled through some of the technical parts. I liked the stuff about symmetry, and the history. I still don't really understand what group theory actually is. Perhaps that's my fault, not the book's. The narrator was excellent.

Great

This is an interesting historical story. It’s informative and entertaining. This is a book to learn and enjoy

One bad chapter, otherwise deeply worthwhile

If you've been searching for a somewhat mathematically rigorous book on the history and science of group theory, this is the best option I've come across so far.

The audible was almost ruined by the verbatim narration of permutation tables during a large part of one chapter. If the narrators of these types of books were to ever be allowed - or motivated - to avoid verbatim narrations like this, for sections that could otherwise be summarily explained in a way that got the point across to the listener, audiobooks could catch on in rigorous science and engineering disciplines.