The Exact Sciences in Antiquity

Rating:
Summary: exact
Review: An 'old fashioned' text where the notes are as important as the body. The 'Method' is the 'As it really was' school. The author was a German mathematician who was drawn to Mesopotamian mathematics and astronomy early in the 20th century. Where used Greek or Latin is translated. The more modern European languages of French and especially German are extensively referred to in the notes but NOT in the body.

The book is much more 'Eurocentric' than is 'politically correct' these days. By example the 'zero symbol' is attributed to Greece, thence to Egypt then to the Orient. Others disagree. This author presents data, lists and writings from the original sources ... he has received 'lifetime awards' form mathematical societies but the popular press has called other authors on zero, "ball buster's"

This book is a very deep investigation of the topic of the title. While not a 'page turner' for most if one relishes tidbits of fascinating information on numbers, antique maths, astronomical methods and spends the time to read the notes as well as the text when they finish this book they will have a good grip of the breadth of Mesopotamian knowledge of these subjects.

Rating:
Summary: exact
Review: An `old fashioned' text where the notes are as important as the body. The `Method' is the `As it really was' school. The author was a German mathematician who was drawn to Mesopotamian mathematics and astronomy early in the 20th century. Where used Greek or Latin is translated. The more modern European languages of French and especially German are extensively referred to in the notes but NOT in the body.

The book is much more `Eurocentric' than is `politically correct' these days. By example the `zero symbol' is attributed to Greece, thence to Egypt then to the Orient. Others disagree. This author presents data, lists and writings from the original sources ... he has received `lifetime awards' form mathematical societies but the popular press has called other authors on zero, "ball buster's"

This book is a very deep investigation of the topic of the title. While not a `page turner' for most if one relishes tidbits of fascinating information on numbers, antique maths, astronomical methods and spends the time to read the notes as well as the text when they finish this book they will have a good grip of the breadth of Mesopotamian knowledge of these subjects.

Rating:
Summary: examines specific points rather than myths or stories
Review: Readers purpose for examining the material was a search for more information into Egyptian use of Fibonacci sequences, specifically whether they used 1st. or 2nd. order, since it is known that the Italian was not the first. Readers questions in this regard were answered although not directly.Author of book makes case why astronomy did not evolve from astrology. Although author is not math intensive, author has incredible insight into the human subconsciousness role and direction into math as used by these early peoples. Reader was able to re-work, from the Astronomy section of MathCad, the base 60 calculator used by the Babylonians, (one was also constructed for the Eygptians in their base but is not nearly as interesting) and reflects how clearly the author had submitted the interpretations for the reader to follow. This book is gem.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent overview of learning in Babylon and Egypt.
Review: This book explains the level of learning and advance of knowledge that was aquired by the ancient cultures in Bablyon, Sumer, and Egypt.

It gives a good overview of the mathematics, and astronomy that was aquired in these cultures, and the progression of this to the more modern Greek and Roman cultures.