Short Synopsis
The King of Infinite Space presents a rich, accessible treatment of Euclid and his beautifully simple geometric system, which continues to shape the way we see the world.

Full Synopsis
Geometry defines the world around us, helping us make sense of everything from architecture to military science to fashion. And for over two thousand years, geometry has been equated with Euclid's Elements, arguably the most influential book in the history of mathematics.

In The King of Infinite Space, renowned mathematics writer David Berlinski provides a concise homage to this elusive mathematician and his staggering achievements. Berlinski shows that, for centuries, scientists and thinkers from Copernicus to Newton to Einstein have relied on Euclid's axiomatic system, a method of proof still taught in classrooms around the world. Euclid's use of elemental logic—and the mathematical statements he and others built from it—have dramatically expanded the frontiers of human knowledge.

"Arthur Morey's gentle voice brings . . . a sense of grace." ---AudioFile

"An impressively concise distillation of the wizardry that transforms points, lines, and planes into sheer genius." ---Booklist Starred Review

"Berlinski's book succeeds not only as a history of geometry but also as an exploration of the power of ideas, masterfully replacing cold abstraction with humor and humanity." ---Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"[A] pared and elegant homage to the peerless geometer [Euclid] and his magnum opus." ---Nature

"Written with David Berlinski's characteristic mix of hothouse prose and standup comedy." ---The Weekly Standard

Booklist Review

Publishers Weekly Review