In this beautifully illustrated classic reader, Julia E. Diggins masterfully recreates the story of geometry. Using three simple tools — the string, the straightedge, and the shadow — early mathematicians discovered the basic principles and constructions of elementary geometry.This book reveals how these discoveries related to the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. Diggins weaves this story from archeological and historical records, and the le...

From the early peoples who marvelled at the geometry of nature -- the beehive and bird's nest -- to ancient civilisations who questioned beautiful geometric forms and asked 'why?', the story of geometry spans thousands of years. Using only three simple tools -- the string, the straight-edge and the shadow -- human beings revealed the basic principles and constructions of elementary geometry. Weaving history and legend, this fascinating book reconstructs the discoveries of mathematics's mos...