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Biography & Autobiography Science & Technology

King of Infinite Space

Donald Coxeter, the Man Who Saved Geometry

by (author) Siobhan Roberts

Publisher
House of Anansi Press Inc
Initial publish date
Jul 2007
Category
Science & Technology, General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780887847776
    Publish Date
    Jul 2007
    List Price
    $21.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780887842016
    Publish Date
    Oct 2006
    List Price
    $36.95

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Out of print

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Description

In the tradition of A Beautiful Mind, here is an engaging biography of a world-famous Canadian geometry genius, Donald Coxeter, whose work has slowly and steadily become the air we breathe, with everyday applications in telecommunication and e-commerce, among other fields.

King of Infinite Space combines two bestselling categories, popular science and biography. It makes geometry accessible through the fascinating life of the 20th century's greatest classical geometer -- a man who also happens to be a Canadian. Coxeter's story weaves together several rich and surprising threads, from the idiosyncratic nature of his personal life to the geopolitical fabric of his times -- what he calls the wild wicked world -- and illuminates the importance of mathematics therein. Indeed, Coxeter is credited with saving classical geometry from near extinction: for over fifty years, he fought a quiet war of attrition against disdain for his unfashionable geometry, stoically retaining his passion for the beauty of shapes.

About the author

Siobhan Roberts has written for The Walrus, Toronto Life, Canadian Geographic, Saturday Night, and the Globe and Mail. She has won two National Magazine Awards, one for her profile of Coxeter in Toronto Life.

Siobhan Roberts' profile page

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