Flatland / Edwin A. Abbott ; an edition with notes and commentary by William F. Lindgren, Thomas F. Banchoff.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Abbott, Edwin Abbott, 1838-1926, author.

Contributor:

Lindgren, William F., editor.

Banchoff, Thomas, editor.

Series:

Spectrum.

Spectrum

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Fourth dimension.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (ix, 294 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Flatland, Edwin Abbott's story of a two-dimensional universe, as told by one of its inhabitants who is introduced to the mysteries of three-dimensional space, has enjoyed an enduring popularity from the time of its publication in 1884. This fully annotated edition enables the modern-day reader to understand and appreciate the many 'dimensions' of this classic satire. Mathematical notes and illustrations enhance the usefulness of Flatland as an elementary introduction to higher-dimensional geometry. Historical notes show connections to late-Victorian England and to classical Greece. Citations from Abbott's other writings as well as the works of Plato and Aristotle serve to interpret the text. Commentary on language and literary style includes numerous definitions of obscure words. An appendix gives a comprehensive account of the life and work of Flatland's remarkable author.

Contents:

Of the nature of flatland

Of the climate and houses in flatland

Concerning the inhabitants of flatland

Concerning the women

Of our methods of recognizing one another

Of recognition by sight

Concerning irregular figures

Of the ancient practice of painting

Of the universal colour bill

Of the suppression of the chromatic sedition

Concerning our priests

Of the doctrine of our priests

How I had a vision of lineland

How in my vision I endeavored to explain the nature of Flatland, but could not

Concerning a stranger from spaceland

How the stranger vainly endeavoured to reveal to me in words the mysteries of spaceland

How the sphere, having in vain tried words, resorted to deeds

How I came to spaceland, and what I saw there

How, though the sphere showed me other mysteries of Spaceland, I still desired more; and what came of it

How the sphere encouraged me in a vision

How I tried to teach the theory of three dimensions to my grandson, and with what success

How I then tried to diffuse the theory of three dimensions by other means, and of the result

Epilogue by the editor.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references (pages 267-276) and indexes.

ISBN:

1-139-88693-2

1-139-85538-7

1-139-85501-8

1-139-81402-8

1-139-85520-4

1-139-85529-8

1-139-19492-5

OCLC:

866449806