I totally agree with the previous two reviewers on what they had to say about this wonderful book. However, I did want to briefly note that -- beyond merely being a fascinating overview of the development of beyond-calculus mathematics -- it is also a great resource for people needing to look up or review topics in advanced mathematics (especially mathematical logic). Again, to repeat what the others have said, buy this book if you have ANY interest in mathematics. You won't regret it.

Howard Eves presents this five-star story of mathematics as two intertwined threads: one describes the growing content of mathematics and the other the changing nature of mathematics. In exploring these two elements, Eves has created a great book for the layman. I find myself returning to his book again and again.

My few semesters of calculus, differential equations, and other applied math failed to formally introduce me to abstract algebras, non-Euclidian geometries, projective geometry, symbolic logic, and mathematical philosophy. I generally considered algebra and geometry to be singular nouns. Howard Eves corrected my grammar.

"Foundations and Fundamental Concepts" is not a traditional history of mathematics, but an investigation of the philosophical context in which new developments emerged. Eves paints a clear picture of the critical ideas and turning points in mathematics and he does so without requiring substantial mathematics by the reader. Calculus is not required.

The first two chapters, titled "Mathematics Before Euclid" and "Euclid's Elements", consider the origin of mathematics and the remarkable development of the Greek axiomatic method that dominated mathematics for nearly 2000 years.

In chapter three Eves introduces non-Euclidian geometry. Mathematics is transformed from an empirical method focused on describing our real, three-dimensional world to a creative endeavor that manufactures new, abstract geometries.

This discussion of geometries, as opposed to geometry, continues in chapter four. The key topics include Hilbert's highly influential work that placed Euclidian geometry on a firm (but more abstract) postulational basis, Poincaire's model and the consistency of Lobachevskian geometry, the principle of duality in projective geometry, and Decartes development of analytic geometry. For the non-initiated these topics may seem daunting, but Eves' approach is clear and quite fascinating.

Chapter five, which might have been titled "The Liberation of Algebra", may at first be a bit overwhelming to those unaware of algebraic structures like groups, rings, and fields. But take solace as even mathematicians in the early nineteenth century still considered algera to be little more than symbolized arithmetic. As Eves says, non-Euclidian geometry released the "invisible shackles of Euclidian geometry". Likewise, abstract algebra created a parallel revolution. (Again, don't be intimidated by the terminology. Eves is quite good.)

The remaining four chapters look at the axiomatic foundation of modern mathematics, the real number system, set theory, and finally mathematical logic and philosophy. Eves concludes with the surprising discovery of contradictions within Cantor's set theory as well as Hilbert's unsuccessful effort to define procedures to avoid inconsistencies or contradictions within an axiomatic system.

Eves mentions Godel's fundamental contribution to mathematical logic, but stops short of delving into Godel's Proof. For additional reading I highly recommend "Godel's Proof" by Ernest Nagel and James R. Newman.

I also highly recommend Richard Courant's and Herbert Robbins' classic, "What is Mathematics?", a more detailed examination of the development of fundamental ideas and methods underlying mathematics. I would suggest that most readers, particularly non-math majors, first read Eves and later tackle Courant and Robbins.

I have read "Foundations and Fundamentals of Mathematics" at least twice. I gave my son a copy for Christmas. He says that the book is great and he even claims to be reading it as he walks across his campus between classes. The price is great. It belongs in your book collection.

There are several books available on the history of mathematics. Some give an account on the development of a certain area, others focus on a group of persons and some do hardly more than story telling. I was looking for one that tells the story of the development of the main ideas and the understanding of what mathematics and science in general is (or what people thought it is and should be). Howard Eves' book is the first book I bought that gives me the answers I was looking for. Starting with pre-Euclidean fragments, going on with Euclid, Aristotle and the Pythagoreans, straight to non-Euclidean geometry it focuses on the axiomatic method of geometry. What pleased me most here is that the author really takes each epoch for serious. He quotes longer (and well chosen) passages from Euclid, Aristotle and Proclus to demonstrate their approaches. Each chapter ends with a Problems section. I was surprised to see how much these problems reveal of the epoch, its problems and thinking.

The book goes on with chapters on Hilbert's Grundlagen, Algebraic Structure etc, always showing not only the substance of these periods but also the shift in the way of thinking and the development towards rigor. The last chapter is titled Logic and Philosophy. Eves divides "contemporary" philosophies of mathematics into three schools: logistic (Russel/Whitehead), intuitionist (Brouwer) and the formalist (Hilbert).

The book ends with some interesting appendices on specific problems like the first propositions of Euclid, nonstandard analysis and even Gödel's incompleteness theorem. Bibliography, solutions to selected problems and an index are carefully prepared to round up an excellent book.

Should you buy this book ? Yes. What kind of mistake can you make in spending US$ 12.95 on a book that has withstood the test of time through three editions (each with a different publisher). I havent completed reading the book yet, but I dont regret having bought it.

Like the German Green's motto " neither Right nor Left but OUT IN FRONT" this book takes on both sides of the CED debate.
and in doing so moves the whole discussion into a new higher level:
---quote---
"It is my contention that neither the scriptural nor the scientific view of the cosmos is complete in itself, despite the fact that each view contributes an essential perspective on the complete reality. Through the spectacles of scriptual exegesis, we Christians see the cosmos as Creation: we see where it stands in relationship to God the Creator,who is its Originator, Preserver, Governor, and Provider. Through the lens of scientific investigation, natural scientists are able to observe the internal affairs of the material world--its coherent properties, its lawful behavior, and its authentic history. Both views are integral parts of what I call the 'creationomic perspective,' the view of the cosmos that is gained when natural science is place in the framework of the biblical doctrine of creation." preface pg ix
---end of quote---

The take home message is simple enough:

God is Creator, Sustainer, Law-Giver, and Provider.

The best way to read the book is to xerox the chart on pg 198 and keep it at your elbow. It summarizes the entire book!!!

To Scripture you address questions of external relationships:
Status Origin Goverance Value Purpose
To Science you address questions of internal affairs:
Properties Behavior History

This in a single table is the argument of the book, but to understand the critical component: the categories of questions you need to hear the example he uses.
Holding up a piece of paper, he asks you to describe it, one voice answers GREEN, another offers SQUARE. pg 204-5 The paper is in fact, both. Is these two pieces of information contradictory, of course not, it is complementary, coming from two different viewpoints. The extend the example in a way that the author does not, to which person do you address the questions concerning shape, to which do you address questions concerning color?

The first part concerns Scripture and how to build a correct hermeneutic to interpret it by. Again he introduces a good illustration, i suspect from his years of teaching this has proven to be a good memory technic and organizing principle: good illustrations. It is the vehicle model of Scripture, pg 14ff, a caravan of vehicles carrying packages with things inside the packages, think a bunch of UPS brown vans. (looks remarkably like the compiler theory train) The vehicle is the cultural historical context as expressed in the literary genre the passage is written in. The packages are the specific story, particular symbolism in a poem, specific cultural patterns. The contents are God's message to His people, in all places, throughout all time. And from pg 83, "In either case, if we attempt to consume both the content and the packaging, we may encounter significant difficulty in chewing, swallowing, and digesting the combination. Those who want to feed on the truths of Scripture must take care to differentiate between food and packaging." The two cases to distinguish are a journalistic account of the actual events of creation(think video tape) from the primeval history account that we have in Genesis.(think metaphorical origins story- mythos)

Scientism and YEC(young earth creationists)- chapter 11, " more heat than light, the creation/evolution debate" and the real battle with unbelieving scientific naturalism as a religious doctrine. Van Till makes it clear throughout the book that the YEC position of apparent age is nothing more than bad science and bad theology, for it denies the coherence of creation. It denies that God created the universe with sufficent thought to have inside it the things it needs to build up the complexity we see around us. By more importantly it denies the value of creation as an arena for the providence of God, to operate through the use of physical means.

I finished the book with a touch of sadness. For the time, energy, and people the false debate of CED is consuming in the Christian community. While good frameworks like Van Till's are neglected for want of people to work on them. If AiG or ICR did not exist, and that energy and talent was used to advance Van Tills type of arguments the Church would be far along the way to competing with the real enemy. Scientism, the world and life view that we are nothing more than sophisticated machines, the result of mindless and random meanderings through the genetic space of living beings. This is a religious, a metaphysical battle, not scientific. For science rightfully limits itself to the things of this creation, the things we see and the forces we can theorize behind them. The YEC have diverted an enormous amount of energy into bad science, trying to fight a battle at the level of facts, denying the clear evidence for an old earth, while misinterpreting the preamble of the Great KIng of Genesis One as a scientific how-to-do book on the manufacture of us. Sadly we are all the weaker knowing that good ideas like this book have been around since 1986 and are yet to be discovered.

I hope you discover this book as a result of my review. It will well worth the time to read, and i didn't even try to tell you the gems in the astronomy section--part 2.

In college I took Howard Van Till's course in Advanced Astronomy and helped do a small amount of research that contributed to this book. In person, Van Till is one of the most committed physicists and christians that I know. He takes a substantial amount of talent, integrity and faith and spreads the light for all. The Christian world has given him mixed reviews because many of them are strict "six day" creationists, which Van Till is not. You will be hard pressed to question his physics and he shows the flaws in many simple-faith approaches. I have read dozens of books on creation and cosmology -- this is one of the best.

It's a shame this book is out of print. The book is divided into three parts: The first describes what the Bible tells us about Creation and the Cosmos. The second details evidences gleaned from the study of the Cosmos, in particular, astronomy. The third section offers a new perspective on the relationship between science and religion, in constrast to a traditional young-earth creationist perspective.

Their passports, personal photos, and names -- all that remains of the over 11,000 French children carried off to the camps. This book is fragile, printed on thin paper with a delicate spine, and it is also has the strongest presence of any book I have ever read. The sheer impact of all of those young children cannot help but make the strongest among us feel sadness and loss. Much praise must go to the authors for putting so much time and effort into so many that have been forgotten.

This 11.000 children deported from France, their photos, their faces, their smiles are the most moving and powerful thing I have ever seen.

This book has succeeded with relatively few words what so many have failed to do with numbers, nightmarish photographs of survivors, and casts of outsized political and military personalities. In page after page the reader sees pictures of thousands of innocent children who did not know what awaited them. The size of the book alone might make one think it likely to be tedious, but after one hour of looking at the faces of happy children the reader feels emotionally drained but compelled to move through the entire book out of anger, pity, disbelief, and certainly, a feeling of outrage that the atrocities committed were done in the name of civilization, and with a perverted sense of cultural and "racial" purity driving so many people to commit such acts, by commission or omission, of unadulterated evil. The emotional impact of this book is overwhelming.

in his course in Game Theory (M711!) at MIT in the late 1950's.
I took that course; while Nash was unquestionably brilliant, he was getting to be pretty hard to follow at that point. The lecture hall was always jammed to overflowing, because even on a bad day Nash was really something! Nevertheless, the book was subsequently very useful, with lots of ideas about game-theoretic approaches to real-world problems.

Nash didn't think too highly of this book (too much non-mathematical stuff), but thought it the best available at the time not written by his arch-enemy, Von Neumann!

This overview of game theory and decisions is a great into the problems and ideas behind game theory. I expect that this book will be most appreciated by non-math Ph.D.'s or grad students. For a math person, Von Neumann and Morgenstern's classic title is perhaps a better place to start. This book is one of those that can be read on a range of levels. I work in a trading and risk management environment and I find this book very useful.

This book covers all the elements of Game Theory, emphasizing intuition over mathematical formalism. The philosophical aspects are also given a thorough treatment. The 8 appendices provide a more formal exposition of several key concepts such as the Minmax Theorem, the geometry of equilibria and Linear programming. The book has not changed much since its publication in 1957, but it is by no means archaic. Even for those who have a modern and more rigorous textbook, "Games and Decisions" is Highly recommended as a supplement. There is something for everyone in it.

I loved this book. It paints a colorful and touching portrait of the characters, Emma Deane and Mrs. Minshull. They seemed so real, I felt like I'd actually met them both. I cried at least twice! This book also gives a fascinating glimpse of life in another era. Don't miss this book!

I enjoyed this book a lot! It reminded me of an American Girl, but with more complex characters. The growing relationship between Emma and Mrs. Minshull, Emma's growing strength (both physical and mental), and her pride in her talent was neatly drawn. And just the right length for young readers! Would have liked more information about the canal life.

Ten-year-old Emma is used to working ten hours a day in a silk mill in Victorian England. When she is locked out for being a moment late, and gets a job on a canal boat, her life takes an unexpected turn for the better. I loved this book

My dad had this book at home and since we were living on the top floor I had endless opportunities to experiment and litter the neighbourhood with planes made from this book's design. An evergreen favourite is Sakoda's Origami Supersonic Jet.
The first part of the book consists of a superbly eclectic history of the paper airplane with many ideas that will lead may a child of any age into endless hours of dreamy fun.
I found this book again this year in a Seattle bookshop and it brought back many happy memories!

In a world of hi-technology, electronics, computers and robotics, it's amazing such a book is still in print. This book has been a great inspiration for me through the years as it has thought me alot, not only about folding paper airplanes. It teaches us all that though we may have super-computers today, it's the creativity that matters afterall, because the best idea could possibly be the simplest.

This was my firt paper airplane book and I have since bought quite a few. It is my favorite and I still refrence it for new ideas. Its designs are more varied than books with designs by just one author. The written portion is also very clever. It makes me hope for another Internations Paper Airplane Contest.

Binkow calls us to action again with a "just do it" approach to listening. Whether it be business or family, Binkow is the final push that actually makes us practice what the other gurus of listening have been begging us to do. Short, sweet, and effective.

If only the men in my life could have read this years ago I truly believe there wouldn't have been so many in my life! Mr. Binkow really hits the nail on the head in discussing communication between men and women.

Reading Howard's book has made me aware of the need to listen. I've noticed an improvement in my relations with others simply by trying to listen better than before. Also, his tips for paying attention and giving appropriate feedback were very valuable. It's worth reading simply to sit and take the time to think about how you comunicate.

I've always been a American Sailing Navy buff. Though I don't often get into the nitty gritty of the construction of ships or the actual nature of contruction of the ship itself, I have found that Chappelle's "History" is a fantastic resource as one researches and reads about the American sailing navy. I actually have a near-mint first edition copy of it which I value highly.

Chappelle was while he was alive, the foremost expert in the design and evolution of the American sailing Navy. His knowledge and talent was put to good use in writing a book that is still commonly refered to by naval historians over 50 years since it was written.

I do not believe that many books of a similar nature have been written since, possibly because Chappelle was so thorough in his coverage of the subject when he wrote this book.

The book itself chronicals the evolution of the American sailing Navy, from colonial days, before there even was a navy, to the 1850's when steam began to take over. It includes hundreds of diagrams of ships, illustrations, dimentions, and drawings.

So complete is his data, that I know of at least one modelmaker, who's used Chapelle's data extensively in construction of his models.

If you enjoy sailing, or American sailing Navy history, this book is definately worth a look.

For those who are interested in the technical details of the US Navy sailing ships, this is the book of choice. This is perhaps one of the most complete and thorough research book that covers the history of the sailing ships serving the US Navy. The book's eight chapters plus an appendix covers sail ships that served in the US Navy from the colonial period up to the last one built before the Civil War. Sail ships ranging in sizes from small sloops to large Ship of the Line are covered. Details regarding the design considerations/proposals, dimensions, number/types of guns, tonnage, performance, etc. are included. Detail illustrations are also included.

This book mentions some brief history of some of the sailing vessels but not in detail. So for those who are interested in the history of a particular vessel this is not the book of choice.

Any naval historian, architecture, and those interested in sailing should get this book and will not be disappointed.

Howard Chapelle probably is personally responsible for documenting over a dozen types of uniquely American sailing vessel types and numerous small craft that would have otherwise been lost to the ravages of time and so called, "progress".

Who better to research and write a history of the American Navy during the glory days of sail, 1775-1854. His direct access to Navy documentation, redrawing of original sketches (drawn plans were not the norm in this era), and interpretation of sail plans and rigging, add up to a well written, fascinating account of the early shipbuilder's, Naval Constructors, and misguided politics and shenanigans of our fledgling Navy department.

One can almost come to grips with how the current Department of Defense collectively thinks, and why nothing is ever as simple as it seems it should be.

No matter if you are a student of naval architecture, or just love sailing ships, the wonderful illustrations and informative text are a delight to read and the tables of information invaluable to the scale modeler.

A definate must for every sailor's (or Horatio Hornblower wannabe's) reference shelf.

Let me tell you, "podnahs", Home to Brushy Creek is one of the best western stories I've ever read! It's right up there with the best that Louis L'Amour ever wrote. It is full of action and great characters, and it is written in folksy, easy to read, "good ol' Texas writin'". And being a Sheriff with 20 years of experience in dealing with all kinds of folks, I can tell you that the author makes his characters sound real--the villans as well as the good guys. He also does a great job in describing the shootouts that he tells about....That last battle that settles the question of who is going to rule Brushy Creek--Range Lord Bascom Clark or its good and decent townfolks--will have you holding your breath and sitting on the edge of your chair, I guarantee.... Ward Garrison, the story's main hero, is my kind of man...fearless, honest to a fault and can always be counted on when the chips are down. And all of you girl readers will love Sina, his gutsy little Irish-Quaker wife who is right by his side guarding his flank in every battle they have to fight. Home to Brushy Creek is an exciting story that will leave you feeling good all over. ...Go ahead, have yourself a good day... Sheriff Lacy Rogers San Jacinto County, Texas

Definitely the book to read."Home to brushy creek"is eceptional,keeping your interest,with plenty of adventures and down to earth romancing.Have you ever wondered about the adjustments of a returning soldier from a long and tiring war,Mr. Bratton,s Ward realisticly lets you experience his battles and adventures to survive.I felt that I wanted to belong in Ward,s and Sena,s lives,they fought much for family and friends...surely, after hooking his readers,Mr.Bratton will do a follow up BOOK.

I'd love to read a sequel to HOME TO BRUSHY CREEK! While I was reading it I was wishing that I could clone Ward, Sina and Maggie right off a page and have them for friends for the rest of my life. This is a story about the two bloody battles that were fought in the aftermath of the Civil War with all of its lingering anger and resentment---the first one in Marlin, Illinois, the second one a while later in Brushy Creek Texas. Ward and Sina play heroic parts in both battles, supported in each one by their families and a few friends against an array of hard-bitten killers of every stripe. Ward and Sina are not just a man and woman that you'd want to have on your side in a fight, they are fine examples of good citizens, and as Maggie once declared "...everyone should have friends like them".

This was a wonderful story. It's very hard to put down. It only took me 2 nights to complete it. I hope Curt Simmons writes more books soon!

This one is hard to put down! I loved each of the colorful characters and couldn't wait to read what was going to happen next. The surprise ending was the perfect conclusion to this heartwarming story.

This is a wonderful story. I fell in love with the characters and hated to see the book end. But the surprise ending left me crying and smiling at the same time. Loved it!