Measurement

By: Paul Lockhart

Narrated by: Kyle Tait

For seven years, Paul Lockhart's A Mathematician's Lament enjoyed a samizdat-style popularity in the mathematics underground, before demand prompted its 2009 publication to even wider applause and debate. An impassioned critique of K-12 mathematics education, it outlined how we shortchange students by introducing them to math the wrong way. Here, Lockhart offers the positive side of the math education story by showing us how math should be done. Measurement offers a permanent solution to math phobia by introducing us to mathematics as an artful way of thinking and living.

In conversational prose that conveys his passion for the subject, Lockhart makes mathematics accessible without oversimplifying. He makes no more attempt to hide the challenge of mathematics than he does to shield us from its beautiful intensity. Favoring plain English over jargon and formulas, he succeeds in making complex ideas about the mathematics of shape and motion intuitive and graspable. His elegant discussion of mathematical reasoning and themes in classical geometry offers proof of his conviction that mathematics illuminates art as much as science.

Measurement is an invitation to summon curiosity, courage, and creativity in order to experience firsthand the playful excitement of mathematical work.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2012 the President and Fellows of Harvard College (P)2019 Tantor

Wonderfully written!

I loved this book. It’s written in a wonderful conversational style and very well narrated. Since all the illustrations/equations are not in the accompanying pdf the book requires some visual imagination and some fluency with mathematics.

Did not enjoy

Not as clear as I have expected. He claimed there is no better math book besides this; is unfounded. I have read many enjoyable and informative math books. The chapters page should have sub titles to clearly provide glimpses-details of the section.