Nonfiction Book Reviews
Page One of TwoA Little Book of Coincidence by John Martineau
Walker Books, April, 2002Hardcover, 58 pages
ISBN: 0802713882
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
A Little Book of Coincidence is all about the planets in
our solar system and how their orbits relate to geometry.
The "coincidences" are the interesting little facts that
relate the orbits of the planets to geometry, mathematical
facts and to music. The ancient mathematicians assigned
seven musical notes to seven planets. Later mathematicians
like Kepler were able to calculate how the orbits of the
planets were related to music. The coincidences are
fascinating little facts about numbers and their relationships
to each other. This beautifully illustrated book can prod
a long dormant passion for math in any reader. It might
even tempt some readers to try to find that long since
discarded toy of childhood called a Spirograph, and give
it long overdue respect. Drawings at the end of the book
show an amazing resemblance to this toy, but they are
all about the ratios of the planets to their orbits. This short
book can enhance not only the reader's appreciation of
mathematics, but will bring up amazing facts about our
planetary system and the amazing network of attractions
that hold it together.
--Sarah Reaves White
Platonic & Archimedean Solids by Daud Sutton
Walker Books, April, 2002Hardcover, 58 pages
ISBN: 0802713866
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
For those who love the intricacies and exquisite
logic of mathematics and geometry, Platonic
and Archimedean Solids will be an enjoyable reminder
of the possibilities of solid geometry. But for readers
who have not used these particular areas of mathematics
since college, this short and beautiful little volume is
an enjoyable journey through the history of mankind's
discovery and subsequent use of geometry and mathematics
for everything from creating magnificent buildings
to understanding chemistry and atomic physics.
Daud Sutton's beautiful drawings, along with his
clearly written essays on the history and the importance
of each new extension, will interest both mathematician
and general reader alike.
--Sarah Reaves White
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