Geometry

This book is based on lectures on geometry at the University of Bergen, Norway. Over the years these lectures have covered many different aspects and facets ofthis wonderful field.Consequently it has ofcourse never been possible to give a full and final account ofgeometry as such, at an undergraduate level: A carefully considered selection has always been necessary.The present book constitutes the main central themes of these selections. One of the groups I am aiming at, is future teachers of mathematics. All too often the geometry which goes into the syllabus for teacher-students present the material as pedantic and formalistic, suppressing the very pow­ erful and dynamic character of this old - and yet so young! - field. A field of mathematical insight, research, history and source of artistic inspiration. And not least important, a foundation for our common cultural heritage. Another motivation is to provide an invitation to mathematics in gen­ eral. It is an unfortunate fact that today, at a time when mathematics and knowledge of mathematics is more important than ever, phrases like math avoidance and math anxiety are very much in the public vocabulary. An im­ portant task is seriously attempting to heal these ills. Ills perhaps inflicted on students at an early age, through deficient or even harmful teaching prac­ tices. Thus the book also aims at an informed public, interested in making a new beginning in math. And in doing so, learning more about this part of our cultural heritage.

From the reviews:

"... The book can be recommended as an excellent textbook for several possible courses (such as Historical topics in geometry, or Introduction to modern geometry). It can be recommended to historians of mathematics, and to professional mathematicians, teachers and students wanting to understand the origins of modern geometry."

European Mathematical Society Newsletter, p. 30, June 03

"... As the author states, the book aims at working resp. future teachers but also at the "informed public", and this readership will really profit from it."

G.Kawohl, Monatshefte für Mathematik 140, Heft 4 (2003)

"This book, or at least the first half of it, should really be compulsory reading for everyone who ever teaches mathematics. It contains a wealth of (his)stories that would make a course in mathematics, in particular in geometry, interesting and exciting. ...In conclusion I would say that the book is really about mathematical culture; interesting things that every mathematical teacher should know are well explained. ..."

Hendrik Van Maldeghem, Belgian Mathematical Society - Simon Stevin Bulletin, 2003, p. 159-160

"This is a wonderful book based on lectures on geometry given by the author to undergraduate students at the University of Bergen, Norway. ...

Summarizing: I think that this book is a beautiful treatment of geometry. ... I strongly recommend this book to instructors who want to find a textbook for a comprehensive undergraduate geometry course, or for lecturers considering a presentation on geometry for the general public. The book will be very useful also for high-school and undergraduate interested in studying geometry. A receptive and informed general public interested in mathematics will find in the first (and, maybe, second) part of the book a very readable and fun approach to geometry."

Mihaela Poplicher, The MAA ONLINE book reviewcolumn, for complete review see http://www.maa.org/reviews/holmegeom.html

"Holme .. offers a highly readable survey of geometry. ..."

D.P.Turner, Choice October 2002

"... To my mind this book delivers both a broad survey of the history of geometry and - at a few well-chosen points - a deeper insight. It impressively works out the importance of geometry as one of the gresat achievements of human culture. The way this book is written makes it capable of conveying this idea to many culturally interested people who do not shy away from getting involved into mathematics. I especially recommend this book to students and teachers in mathematics and related fields."

J.Lang, Internationale Mathematische Nachrichten 2002, Vol. 56, Issue 191

"... Im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Geometriebüchern wird in dem vorliegenden Band kein Aufgebot an speziellen Bezeichnungen verwandt. So kann man eigentlich in jedem Kapitel anfangen zu lesen, bzw. das Buch auch als Nachschlagewerk verwenden. Damit wird es auch dem vom Autor sich selbst gesetzten Ziel gerecht, die Leser nicht durch eine pedantische und formalistische Presentation von der Dynamik und Schönheit der Geometrie abzulenken. Wie Holme in seiner Einleitung schreibt, will er insbesondere unseren künftigen Lehrern und der Mathematik interessierten Gemeinschaft in seinem Buch ein umfangreiches und abgerundetes Bild der Geometrie präsentieren. Gleichzeitig soll die Monographie auch als Grundlage für Vorlesungen über Geometrie dienen. Meiner Ansicht nach ist der Autor seinem Ziel gerecht geworden."

Ch.Birkenhake, Jahresberichte der DMV, JB 106. Band (2004), Heft 3

"... Wer sich einen im historischen Kontext verankerten Überblick über die Geometrie verschaffen möchte, ist mit diesem Buch sehr gut bedient. ... es kann durchaus als Klassiker gelten."

H.Walser, Elemente der Mathematik 2004, Vol. 59

"This bookdiscusses central themes from the history of classical and modern geometry … . The book can be recommended as an excellent textbook for several possible courses (such as Historical topics in geometry, or Introduction to modern geometry). It can be recommended to historians of mathematics, and to professional mathematicians, teachers and students wanting to understand the origins of modern geometry." (EMS , June 2003)

"Audun Holme has written an elementary book on geometry … aimed primarily at American mathematics teachers in both elementary and high school, as well as at 'an informed public interested in making a new beginning in mathematics.' … As a popular account of one area of mathematics, [Holmes] has some attractive new features. … it provides a sense of the drama of mathematical developments and their role in world culture. This could be a valuable contribution." (H. Wu, Notices of the AMS, Vol. 51 (5), 2004)

"This is an introduction in selected parts of geometry together with a detailed view on the importance of geometry in the history of mathematics. … As the author states, the book aims at working resp. future teachers but also at the 'informed public', and this readership will really profit a lot from it." (G. Kowol, Monatshefte für Mathematik, Vol. 140 (4), 2003)

"Holme (Univ. of Bergen, Norway) offers a highly readable survey of geometry. … Readability is enhanced by the inclusion of more than 160 figures. … Upper-division undergraduates through faculty." (D. P. Turner, CHOICE, October 2002)

"This book … should really be compulsory reading for everyone who ever teaches mathematics. It contains a wealth of (his)stories that would make a course in mathematics, in particular in geometry, interesting and exciting. … I must admit I learned a lot reading these chapters. … In conclusion I would say that the book is really about mathematical culture; interesting things that every mathematicalteacher should know are well explained." (Hendrik van Maldeghem, Belgian Mathematical Society, 2003)

"This is a wonderful book based on lectures on geometry given by the author to undergraduate students at the University of Bergen, Norway. … I think that this book is a beautiful treatment of geometry. It might very well serve as textbook for geometry courses … . I strongly recommend this book to instructors who want to find a textbook for a comprehensive undergraduate geometry course … . The book will be very useful also for high-school and undergraduate interested in studying geometry." (Mihaela Poplicher, MAA, 25.01.2003)

"To my mind this book delivers both a broad survey of the history of geometry and –at a few well chosen points – a deeper insight. It impressively works out the importance of geometry as one of the great achievements of human culture. The way this book is written makes it capable of conveying this idea to many culturally interested people who do not shy away from getting involved into mathematics. I especially recommend this book to students and teachers in mathematics and related fields." (J. Lang, Internationale Mathematische Nachrichten, Vol. 56 (191), 2002)

"It has of course never been possible to give a full and final account of geometry as such, at an undergraduate level: A carefully considered selection has always been necessary. The present book constitutes the main central themes of these selections. … One of the groups I am aiming at, is future teachers of mathematics. … the book also aims at an informed public, interested in making a new beginning in math. And in doing so, learning more about this part of our cultural heritage." (Wordtrade, 2009)