Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos: Discovering a New Aesthetic of Art, Science, and Nature (A Touchstone Book)

By John P. Briggs

Book Overview

Describes how fractals were discovered, explains their unique properties, and discusses the mathematical foundation of fractals.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671742175
• ISBN13: 9780671742171
• Release Date: November 1992
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 2.08 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.0" x 11.9"

Customer Reviews

staggeringly beautiful

Technically this book is good. The images, however, are staggeringly beautiful. I think Dr. Briggs teaches esthetics, which is the study of beauty. Of any book on fractals I have read, this is by far the most beautiful. I really liked this book, so much I donated it to the library of my alma mater.

Patterns to Inspire - A Captivating Look into Fractals

This book brings a comprehensive and visually intriguing approach to the study of fractal geometry and the chaos theory. Through thought provoking imagery and discernible explanations & comparisons, John Briggs has sparked my curiosity where I now look more closely at the world around me. I believe this book is intended to captivate those with the ability to visualize and appreciate the aesthetics and interconnectedness of the arts, sciences and the natural phenomena that surrounds us. An insightful & visually stimulating read!

an easy to follow and lavishly illustrated guide

I don't know enough about the mathematics of fractals to agree with the reader below who points out the author's lack of qualifications, but even with small mistakes like those, the book is a terrific introduction that requires no technical background. The author does an excellent job explaining not just how fractals were discovered and how to calculate them, but also how artists, writers, poets, and scientist use this information to explain and interpret the world around them. Most books I've read on fractals have a narrow focus. Also, with so many illustrations (this is a gorgeous book), layman explanations and far reaching applications, even the average reader can appreciate the beauty and power of fractals. I could not put it down and then had to start all over again!

Beautiful and informative

As a teacher of science, I found Briggs's work to be a good example of accessible writing about a subject which, although of interest to many, is made abstruse by too many writers. The disdainful attitude towards the public of an unfortunate number of people in the sciences, including one who has posted here, is one reason that sciences are not as well-funded as they might be with greater popular support. Bravo for Briggs for bringing science to the average intelligent and curious reader.

fascinating introduction to fractals

I just finished this book and wanted something to introduce me to fractal geomerty and chaos theory without having to be a mathematician, physicist, etc. This book is a fascinating trip through the fractal world we live in, written in layman's language, with lots of gorgeous pictures from the worlds of nature, art, science, computer graphics, and space. It describes clearly how these worlds interact, how fractal geometry differs from traditional geometry and how we're on the brink of exciting new discoveries. The ultimate recommendation is I got it for my dad (a retired math teacher) for Father's Day and he really liked it! Easy to read and leaves you anxious for more.