Flatland ：An Edition with Notes and Commentary ( Spectrum )

Publication subTitle ：An Edition with Notes and Commentary

Publication series ：Spectrum

Author： Edwin A. Abbott; William F. Lindgren; Thomas F. Banchoff  

Publisher： Cambridge University Press‎

Publication year： 2009

E-ISBN: 9781139855464

P-ISBN(Paperback): 9780521759946

Subject： O412.1 relativistic

Keyword： 几何、拓扑

Language： ENG

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Flatland

Description

Flatland, Edwin Abbott's story of a two-dimensional universe, as told by one of its inhabitants who is introduced to the mysteries of three-dimensional space, has enjoyed an enduring popularity from the time of its publication in 1884. This fully annotated edition enables the modern-day reader to understand and appreciate the many 'dimensions' of this classic satire. Mathematical notes and illustrations enhance the usefulness of Flatland as an elementary introduction to higher-dimensional geometry. Historical notes show connections to late-Victorian England and to classical Greece. Citations from Abbott's other writings as well as the works of Plato and Aristotle serve to interpret the text. Commentary on language and literary style includes numerous definitions of obscure words. An appendix gives a comprehensive account of the life and work of Flatland's remarkable author.

Chapter

Cover

Flatland: An Edition with Notes and Commentary

Title

Copyright

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

A Romance of many dimensions.

Flatland as Victorian England/Flatland as classical Greece.

Flatland and Plato’s parable of the cave.

Precursors of Flatland.

Edwin Abbott Abbott.

The first and second editions of Flatland.

Subsequent editions.

This edition of Flatland.

Flatland with Notes and Commentary

Notes and Commentary

Title Page.

Dedication.

PART I THIS WORLD

Part I: THIS WORLD

§1 Of the Nature of Flatland

Notes on Section 1.

§2 Of the Climate and Houses in Flatland

Notes on Section Two

§3 Concerning the Inhabitants of Flatland

Notes on Section 3.

§4 Concerning the Women

Notes on Section 4.

§5 Of our Methods of Recognizing One Another

Notes on Section 5.

§6 Of Recognition by Sight

Notes on Section 6.

§7 Of Irregular Figures

Notes on Section 7.

§8 Of the Ancient Practice of Painting

Notes on Section 8.

§9 Of the Universal Colour Bill

Notes on Section 9.

§10 Of the Suppression of the Chromatic Sedition

Notes on Section 10.

§11 Concerning our Priests

Notes on Section 11.

§12 Of the Doctrine of our Priests

Notes on Section 12.

PART II: OTHER WORLDS

Part II: OTHER WORLDS

§13 How I had a Vision of Lineland

Notes on Section 13.

§14 How I vainly tried to explain the nature of Flatland

Notes on Section 14.

§15 Concerning a Stranger from Spaceland

Notes on Section 15.

§16 How the Stranger vainly endeavoured to reveal to me in words the mysteries of Spaceland

Notes on Section 16.

§17 How the Sphere, having in vain tried words, resorted to deeds

Notes on Section 17.

§18 How I came to Spaceland, and what I saw there

Notes on Section 18.

§19 How, though the Sphere showed me other mysteries of Spaceland, I still desired more; and what came of it

Notes on Section 19.

§20 How the Sphere encouraged me in a Vision

Notes on Section 20.

§21 How I tried to teach the Theory of Three Dimensions to my Grandson, and with what success

Notes on Section 21.

§22 How I then tried to diffuse the Theory of Three Dimensions by other means, and of the result

Notes on Section 22.

Epilogue by the Editor

Notes on the Epilogue

Continued Notes

Appendix A: Critical Reaction to Flatland

A1. Contemporary reviews

A2. The review of Flatland in The Athenaeum

A3. Another letter from the Square

A4. James J. Sylvester and Flatland

Appendix B: The Life and Work of Edwin Abbott Abbott

Appendix B1. Abbott chronology

Appendix B2. A “mathematical biography” of Edwin Abbott Abbott4

Appendix B3. Abbott and the education of girls

Appendix B4. Abbott obituary

Recommended Reading

Abbott biography

Higher-dimensional geometry

Flatland general

Plato’s Cave

Classical Greece

Victorian Britain

References

Index of Defined Words

Index

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