The main focus of the book is on how mathematicians have studied the notion of infinity. Lieber starts with a discussion of "potential infinity," including the "points at infinity" of projective geometry, then launches into her real Cantor's theory of infinite sets. The story proceeds on familiar paths for a while, but then goes on to discuss topics that aren't usually included in books like Cantor's transfinite ordinals, for example, and Russell's paradox and its resolution.
What I read of this book, I enjoyed. I was not able to finish it before it was due back to the library, though. I hope to try again sometime.
I would not call myself a mathematical thinker, and I struggled with math in high school. Now I realize that I sort of "bought" the notion that I'm "not a math person." This book seems to be written to help adults like me look at math concepts in a simple and creative manner, and helped me believe that I can actually learn these concepts. It is a hopeful notion!
I like the style. It accomplishes it's purpose well, to make us think and ponder a matter to get the sense of it. I believe it is a book written by a true educator, a person interested in helping others to learn a subject while not being pained by it. It is a fun book, a thinkers book in my opinion. My edition is the 1953 Hardcover.
Супер. Жаль только оригинальную книгу в этом издании урезали и явно видно что несколько глав выпали, но что есть пояснено очень хорошо. Ну и время не стоит на месте судя по всему по ряду открытых вопросов в книге уже есть ответы.