Calculating the Cosmos

"Stewart] shows that he is not only a polymath in the sense that he is a master of all fields of mathematics, but also in his comprehension of physics, astronomy, and cosmology...[In Calculating the Cosmos] he effectively shows that time and technology will evolve ever better calculations of the cosmos."

"In Calculating the Cosmos Ian Stewart elegantly reviews the uncanny effectiveness of mathematics in explaining the universe.... Mr. Stewart beautifully describes how Newton's laws can still produce surprising results."

"Most popular books about science assume that readers cannot digest hard scientific facts, let alone formulae or graphs. Such works brim with chitchat about scientist' personalities but their density of formulation is low. A refreshing exception is Ian Stewart's Calculating the Cosmos: How Mathematics Unveils the Universe. There are no personalities in the book and, despite the title, no math either, just lucid descriptions of the logical basis of modern cosmology."

"Telling the story of how scientists and mathematicians harness abstract mathematical relationships to figure out the real world, Stewart deftly highlights the interdependent nature of ideas.... Stewart is sure to please math lovers, history buffs, and science enthusiasts alike by covering an array of eras, innovators, and disciplines. With virtually no equations, readers learn about complicated mathematical theory in a friendly, conversational tone; whether he's discussing 'white holes,' why 'relativity and quantum mechanics are uneasy bedfellows,' or the shape of space itself, Stewart's pages flip of their own accord."

"Mathematician and prolific writer Ian Stewart turns a lens on how maths has helped us to decipher the celestial. As space probes explore new ground from asteroids to regions beyond the heliopause, Earth-based number-crunching informs everything from Jupiter's asteroid-pitching tendencies, the behaviour of planetary rings and the stubborn shyness of dark matter to the 'interplanetary superhighway' that provides efficient routes between planets. A fascinating tour, seamlessly spliced and historically contextualized."

"Ian Stewart covers the long story of our beloved cosmos wearing mathematical glasses, and we can only be thankful that he has been our guide in this journey."

"Stewart's wry sense of humor adds to this informative yet entertaining read.... Highly recommended for science readers who are up for a challenge."

"With captivating stories and his signature clarity, Ian Stewart shows us how math makes the world--and the rest of the universe--go round."