The Universe and the Teacup: The Mathematics of Truth and Beauty

KC Cole has been infatuated for years with the late Frank Oppenheimer. "The Universe and the Teacup" is clearly an attempt (and a successful one) for her to share Oppenheimer's deep-seated belief that fluency with science would cure many of the world's ills. KC's writing is engaging and fun, making this a quick and rewarding read.

I am surprised by the reactions to this book. She seems to have touched upon very sensitive spots in the American psyche, to the point where most reviewers seem to have lost any objetivity. Now, for somebody like myself, who had a certain facility for math, which was stifled by miserable teachers, and who however likes to think "mathematically" (at a very elementry level), the book was a great assistance in obtaining an overall view of the importance and beauty of math. Granted, her politics are often all too obvious, and her insistence on feminist messages (for me, beating a dead horse) could be somewhat irritating. Referring to God as She is not merely silly; it is irrelevant and somehow self-celebrating. What is the point? All languages have built-in prejudices, which are mostly harmless. What is importance, in my opinion, is educational and employment opportunities, fair remuneration and equal chances for promotion. All the rest is unnecessary commentary. But, let it be. If she wants to call She the entire universe, that is her eminent right. We all have the right to be silly in some respects!

Full of factoids

The book is written in an entertaining, approachable manner. The examples are clear and memorable. Mathematics is presented in a compelling way that gives it pertinence and answers the perennial student question, "When am I ever going to use Math after I am out of school?" I highly recommend this book to students and those who use Math in their everyday lives.

Intriguing ideas presented concisely.

This book demonstrates the true beauty of mathematics. I recommend it to my High School seniors. Good for the non-math readers as well.

This was fascinating - I learned about how the very nature of mathematics is based on harmony and beauty of symmetry.

I understand the author received an award for science writing from the American Institute of Physics. As a retired physicist, I find it hard to understand how she can confuse Frank Oppenheimer with his renowned brother J. Robert. Inexcusable.

a very interesting slant about democratic principles

Mathematics made interesting and entertaining. Those two things alone are worth the price of the book.

What an amazing book, loved it, it just explains everything step by step starting from the baby numbers and then moving onto the importance of exponents, risk measures etc. it’s just amazing, a must buy......

the first chapter and introduction are magnificent, however because the title I waited for some discution bout topology. I recomend

Amazing book. Very thought provoking.I'd recommend it to everyone.