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Flatland, by Edwin A. Abbot, is the must-read for anyone interested
in getting a feel for higher dimensions. The book is
extraordinarily readable and succeeds even with people that are
afraid of mathematics. Abbott's charm lies in his ability to write
simply and clearly about a topic that has its share of very
unreachable, esoteric books. You fall into the story (whose plot is
by no means secondary to the mathematical ideas), and before you
know it you find yourself in contemplation of things like the
fourth and fifth dimensions. The visual image that this book
provides is a necessary step to envisioning and then understanding
the idea of higher dimensions, even for those already versed in the
mathematics of it. You never know, after you read this, you might
even be willing to try your hand at things like Einstein's
relativity. A little on the social aspects of the book: keep in
mind that it was written in the very late 1800's. Hidden within the
philosophical and mathematical ideas is a satire of the social
climate of the times: how women, the military, the upper echelons
of society, and just about everyone else were viewed. Flatland
makes you think, and think deeply, on many different and sometimes
unexpected levels.
Very popular amongst mathematics, physics, and computer science
students, Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions is an 1884
satirical novella by the English schoolmaster Edwin Abbott. Writing
pseudonymously as "a square," Abbott used the fictional
two-dimensional world of Flatland to offer pointed observations on
the social hierarchy of Victorian culture. However, the novella's
more enduring contribution is its examination of dimensions; in a
foreword to one of the many publications of the novella, noted
science writer Isaac Asimov described Flatland as "The best
introduction one can find into the manner of perceiving dimensions"
Several films have been made from the story, including a feature
film in 2007 called Flatland. Other efforts have been short or
experimental films, including one narrated by Dudley Moore and a
short film with Martin Sheen titled Flatland: The Movie.
There being no sun nor other heavenly bodies, it is impossible for
us to determine the North in the usual way; but we have a method of
our own. By a Law of Nature with us, there is a constant attraction
to the South; and, although in temperate climates this is very
slight -- so that even a Woman in reasonable health can journey
several furlongs northward without much difficulty.
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the
original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as
marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe
this work is culturally important, we have made it available as
part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting
the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions
that are true to the original work.
There being no sun nor other heavenly bodies, it is impossible for
us to determine the North in the usual way; but we have a method of
our own. By a Law of Nature with us, there is a constant attraction
to the South; and, although in temperate climates this is very
slight -- so that even a Woman in reasonable health can journey
several furlongs northward without much difficulty.
There being no sun nor other heavenly bodies, it is impossible for
us to determine the North in the usual way; but we have a method of
our own. By a Law of Nature with us, there is a constant attraction
to the South; and, although in temperate climates this is very
slight -- so that even a Woman in reasonable health can journey
several furlongs northward without much difficulty.
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