John C. Stillwell

Professor of Mathematics, University of San Francisco

Yearning for the Impossible (A.K. Peters, Ltd, 2006)

Yearning for the Impossible explores the history of mathematics from the perspective of the creative tension between common sense and the "impossible." Dr. Stillwell follows the discovery and invention of new concepts that have marked mathematical progress including Irrational and Imaginary Numbers, the Fourth Dimension, curved space, and infinity. Stillwell imbeds mathematics into a broader cultural context with a clever and enthusiastic explication of mathematical ideas, thus broadening the horizon of students beyond the narrow confines of rote memorization. He engages those who are curious about the place of mathematics in our intellectual landscape. Even to the individual with basic mathematical knowledge, Stillwell takes complex concepts and provides a level of explanation and clarity for the reader, resulting in "light bulb" moments.

 

The book includes a well executed set of graphs, drawings, and illustrations that increases the approacability of the book.

 

John C. Stillwell received his MSc fromt he University of Melbourne in 1965 and his PH.D. fromt he Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970. He is particularly interested in mathematics history from the 19th and 20th centuries. In 2005 he was awarded the Chauvenet Prize for mathematical exposition by the Mathematical Associaton of America.