Flatland, like our own world, is on the verge of the millenium. On the last day of the year 1999, a Square—hitherto undistinguished from the other shapes of his two-dimensional world—receives the Gospel of Three Dimensions, revealed to that world's flat inhabitants only once every a thousand years. Transformed by a truth he is unable to conceal, he is promptly condemned as a heretic. His poignant tale is itself a multi-dimensional creation, for it is not only a challenge to our most basic perceptions of everyday reality, but a sharp social satire and an illuminating mathematical treatise as well.
In the tradition of fantasy and social satire that includes Gulliver's Travels , Alice in Wonderland, and Animal Farm, Abbott pokes fun at the rigid class structure and concern for appearances of his Victorian society even as he poses an underlying question that is as provoking today as it was a century ago. Could we and everything we see around us be only a cross section for worlds of higher dimensions?
Download and start listening now!
"The core story of Flatland is certainly starting to show signs of its age, but Ian Stewart does a phenomenal job of reviving the relevance of Flatland and it's inhabitants. Stewart does an excellent job of providing both historical context as well as discussing how Abbott's ideas foreshadowed, predicted, or influenced modern mathematical developments. The mathematics and analogy Abbott and Stewart use are equally useful to the mathematically inept and the mathematically adept. Entertaining and educational."
— Garrett (4 out of 5 stars)
At once a classic of science fiction, a playful brainteaser about geometry, a pointed satire of Victorian manners—and, finally, a strangely compelling argument about reason, faith, and the greatest mysteries of the universe.
— The Wall Street Journal" Audiobook........listening to this with Sally while we stitch on the porch at Douglas lake.....I get it that this story of a two dimensional world is a metaphor for the superficiality and the divisiveness of the social structure of our three dimensional world. Did not like it at all. "
— Ferris, 2/16/2014" Really disappointed. The way it explored multi-dimensional ideas was okay, but the weird misogyny was too much. "
— Matt, 2/15/2014" When I have kids, I will be reading this to them. "
— RocÃo, 2/12/2014" This would be an excellent book for a teenager curious about geometry, as it presents the concepts of spatial dimensions in an entertaining and easily understandable manner. However, be warned that some of the ideas are quaintly old fashioned, such as some not so subtle sexism. "
— Norman, 2/9/2014" What did the triangle say to the sphere? "
— Scott, 1/21/2014" A brilliant escape from this world in a way that no other book did before Flatland or has since done with originality. Anyone vaguely interested in the possibilities of other dimensions should not even think twice. "
— Hardus, 1/9/2014" Very interesting world creation, with a meticulously described 2-D world. Along with all of the fantastic geometry, also some great satire of classes and divisions and pushing outside the box of acceptable society. "
— Renee, 1/3/2014" Fun with physics. A real brain stretcher. I'm amazed this was written in 1880. Brilliant! "
— Thomas, 12/30/2013" 3.5, actually. Review to come! "
— Ana, 12/20/2013" Really fun math book, especially how the author helped me better understand different dimensions. "
— Laura, 12/16/2013" I don't know a good way to describe this book. From the point of view of the 2D characters, 3D cannot exist. Once you are into it, it's very easy to start wondering what dimension exists outside of us. "
— Jillian, 12/8/2013Edwin A. Abbott (1838–1926) has been ranked as one of the leading scholars and theologians of the Victorian era. He received highest honors in mathematics, classics, and theology at St. John’s College, Cambridge, and in 1862 began a brilliant career, during which he served as schoolmaster of some of England’s outstanding schools. At the same time he distinguished himself as a scholar, and in 1889 he retired to his studies. Although Flatland, a literary jeu d’esprit, has given pleasure to thousands of readers over many generations, Abbott is best known for his scholarly works, especially his Shakespearian Grammar and his life of Francis Bacon, and for a number of theological discussions.
Patrick Frederic is an American actor whose film and television credits include The Big Easy, 200 Cigarettes, and Law & Order, among others.