The Seduction of Curves: The Lines of Beauty That Connect Mathematics, Art, and the Nude

Description

A lavishly illustrated book that explores the language of curves that spans the human body, science, engineering, and artCurves are seductive. These smooth, organic lines and surfaces-like those of the human body-appeal to us in an instinctive, visceral way that straight lines or the perfect shapes of classical geometry never could. In this large-f

Allan McRobie is a Reader in the Engineering Department at the University of Cambridge, where he teaches stability theory and structural engineering. He previously worked as an engineer in Australia, designing bridges and towers.

"One of Choice Reviews' Outstanding Academic Titles of 2018" "I have never encountered anything quite like [The Seduction of Curves], which I view as genuinely sui generis. . . . The (excellent) prose descriptions are accompanied by lots of illustrations, both photographs and drawings, quite a few of which are in color. . . . An unusual and eclectic book, and one that taught me a lot of things that I did not know before."---Mark Hunacek, MAA Reviews "To illustrate this little-known branch of mathematics, [Allan McRobie] draws on the art of David Hockney, Henry Moore and Salvador Dali, as well as Helena Weightman's superb photographs of mountains, mushrooms, reflections on water and naked bodies."---Matthew Reisz, Times Higher Education "Stunning. . . . The balance is such that it should appeal both to art lovers and those with a real interest in the mathematical basis."---Brian Clegg, Popular Science "Marvelous."---Adhemar Bultheel, European Mathematical Society "Can you find your own butterflies, swallowtails and wigwams? They are right there on your body: the geometrical figures that appear when smoothly curved surfaces are viewed from the right angle. Structural engineer Allan McRobie's The Seduction of Curves is your guide to these most intimate of mathematical objects."---Philip Ball, New Scientist "A delightful journey beyond disciplines. . . . The book intends to lead readers to see the world differently and I believe that in many cases it will, linking subtle mathematical ideas to the world they are surrounded by."---Edmund O. Harriss, MathSciNet "This book is a bold attempt at evoking multiple feelings towards curves. Allan McRobie deserves praise for sensually drawing parallels between the natural and constructed worlds."---Sudhirendar Sharma, Current Science "Both immediate and analytical, beautiful and informative, The Seduction of Curves is a successful hybrid of art book, representation of descriptive geometry, and explanation of mathematical concepts . . . . a book that entertains and teaches, pleases and challenges in equal measure."---Hans J. Rindisbach, European Legacy "Remarkable. . . . Successful . . . due to the erudition of the author plus the quality of the production both in the illustrations used and in the general elegance of the book itself. It would grace the grandest of coffee tables and provide the basis for interesting debates."---Phil Dyke, Leonardo Reviews