|
|
|
|
 | The Crest of the Peacock: |
From the Ishango Bone of central Africa and the Inca quipu of South America to the dawn of modern mathematics, The Crest of the Peacock makes it clear that human beings everywhere have been capable of advanced and innovative mathematical thinking. George Gheverghese Joseph takes us on a breathtaking multicultural tour of the roots and shoots of non-European mathematics. He shows us the deep influence the Egyptians and Babylonians had on the Greeks; the Arabs' major creative contributions; and the astounding range of successes of the great civilizations of India and China. This challenging and erudite book questions familiar assumptions and enlarges our sense of what we mean by mathematics. "Enthralling. . . . After reading it, we cannot see the past in the same comforting haze of age-old stories, faithfully and uncritically retold from teacher to pupil down the years. . . . Invaluable for mathematics teachers at all levels."--New Scientist "What is valuable here is the unified approach that Joseph brings . . . and the non-technical clarity that the attempt to reorder historical priorities and educate his readers out of their European prejudices requires."--The Times Literary Supplement "A magnificent contribution. . . . The conventional wisdom being challenged is that there is one mathematics, largely invented by Europeans. Joseph demonstrates convincingly that the conventional wisdom is false. . . . A rich and fascinating canvas."--Race & Class "If only this book had been available when I was a student!. . . This book will carry you to a deeper place: an appreciation of the many non-European roots of mathematics."--Jerry Lenz, Mathematics Teacher Subject Areas:
Prices subject to change without notice File created: 5/27/2009 | ||
Questions and comments to: webmaster@press.princeton.edu | ||