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DESCARTES' SECRET NOTEBOOK A True Tale of Mathematics, Mysticism, and the Quest to Understand the Universe
by Aczel, Amir D
- Used
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Mint/New
- ISBN 10
- 0767920333
- ISBN 13
- 9780767920339
- Seller
-
Los Angeles, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York, New York, U.S.A. : Broadway, 2005. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. Mint/New. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. René Descartes (1596-1650) is one of the towering and central figures in Western philosophy and mathematics. His apothegm "Cogito, ergo sum" marked the birth of the mind-body problem, while his creation of so-called Cartesian coordinates has made our intellectual conquest of physical space possible. But Descartes had a mysterious and mystical side, as well. Almost certainly a member of the occult brotherhood of the Rosicrucians, he kept a secret notebook, now lost, most of which was written in code. After Descartes's death, Gottfried Leibniz, inventor of calculus and one of the greatest mathematicians of all time, moved to Paris in search of this notebook-and eventually found it in the possession of Claude Clerselier, a friend of Descartes's. Liebniz called on Clerselier and was allowed to copy only a couple of pages-which, though written in code, he amazingly deciphered there on the spot. Liebniz's hastily scribbled notes are all we have today of Descartes's notebook. Why did Descartes keep a secret notebook, and what were its contents? The answers to these questions will lead the reader on an exciting, swashbuckling journey, and offer a fascinating look at one of the great figures of Western culture. Mint, unread, first edition, first printing in new, mylar-protected dust cover. Not remainder-marred or price-clipped] NF40
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Details
- Bookseller
- Joe Staats, Bookseller
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 024244
- Title
- DESCARTES' SECRET NOTEBOOK A True Tale of Mathematics, Mysticism, and the Quest to Understand the Universe
- Author
- Aczel, Amir D
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Mint
- Jacket Condition
- New
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- 1st Edition 1st Printing
- ISBN 10
- 0767920333
- ISBN 13
- 9780767920339
- Publisher
- Broadway
- Place of Publication
- New York, New York, U.S.A.
- Date Published
- 2005
- Pages
- 288
- Size
- 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall
Terms of Sale
Joe Staats, Bookseller
Books shipped in secure packaging via USPS Media Mail, Priority Mail or Global Priority Mail, upon receipt of payment, unless customer requests another method of delivery. Shipping is within 24 hrs. of receipt of payment for money orders, and after three business days for personal checks. All book jackets are protected in mylar covers from Brodart. Customers have three business days within which to contact us with complaints about merchandise by e-mail. Returns must be approved, in original packaging material, and in the same condition as when shipped. Because we make every effort to have the best possible merchandise in the best condition, to describe it accurately and to package it securely, we will in most cases accept approved returns. Approved returns will be cheerfully refunded, or credit given toward other books. Our aim is to please, and to earn your return business with superior service and prompt delivery.
About the Seller
Joe Staats, Bookseller
Biblio member since 2003
Los Angeles, California
About Joe Staats, Bookseller
Modern Literature, Mysteries, and More!
We specialize in collectible, contemporary signed first editions. First edition means the first printing. (Later printings of the first edition are typically not printed on acid-free paper, and should be avoided by collectors.) Signatures are obtained by us in person. Inscribed books sold by us may contain a line, a phrase, or a sketch that the author has chosen to add. Our signed books are not dedicated to anybody in particular (not to your grandmother, your Aunt Gladys, your ex-lover or your former cellmate), except in the rare case of a presentation copy from an author to a noteworthy person. All our books are hardcover, unless the book is an Advance Reading Copy, Uncorrected Proof, or PBO. You can expect that the books we send you will be as described, and in a physical condition worthy of the author’s having signed them. We do not sell remainder-marked books, signed or otherwise
We specialize in collectible, contemporary signed first editions. First edition means the first printing. (Later printings of the first edition are typically not printed on acid-free paper, and should be avoided by collectors.) Signatures are obtained by us in person. Inscribed books sold by us may contain a line, a phrase, or a sketch that the author has chosen to add. Our signed books are not dedicated to anybody in particular (not to your grandmother, your Aunt Gladys, your ex-lover or your former cellmate), except in the rare case of a presentation copy from an author to a noteworthy person. All our books are hardcover, unless the book is an Advance Reading Copy, Uncorrected Proof, or PBO. You can expect that the books we send you will be as described, and in a physical condition worthy of the author’s having signed them. We do not sell remainder-marked books, signed or otherwise
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
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