|
 |
"Keep on Tracking," by Frank Kermode. The Guardian, 18 October 2003.
The reviewer compares and contrasts two new books on the topic of infinity: Brian Clegg's Infinity: the Quest to Think the Unthinkable and David Foster Wallace's Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity. He notes that each book relates the development of mathematical thought, introduces Georg Cantor, and takes a witty approach, but that the authors' methods differ. He describes Clegg's approach as chronological, leading up to Cantor, whereas Wallace begins with Cantor and provides background. The reviewer finds Clegg's book easier to read, and he likes the way Clegg "likes to gossip" about the personalities involved. He notes that Wallace seems to customize sections according to his assumptions of how readers with varying backgrounds might (or could) proceed reading his book.
--- Annette Emerson
 |
Comments: Email Webmaster |
