Author:Donal O'Shea
The Poincaré Conjecture tells the story behind one of the world’s most confounding mathematical theories. Formulated in 1904 by Henri Poincaré, his Conjecture promised to describe the very shape of the universe, but remained unproved until a huge prize was offered for its solution in 2000. Six years later, an eccentric Russian mathematician had the answer.
Here, Donal O’Shea explains the maths behind the Conjecture and its proof, and illuminates the curious personalities surrounding this perplexing conundrum, along the way taking in a grand sweep of scientific history from the ancient Greeks to Christopher Columbus. This is an enthralling tale of human endeavour, intellectual brilliance and the thrill of discovery.
Conveys topology's mind-bending contortions with great flair
—— New ScientistOne can't read The Poincaré Conjecture without an overwhelming awe at the infinite depths and richness of a mathematical realm not made by us
—— Martin Gardner, author of The Annotated AliceReveals the human story behind the challenge of the conjecture, and gives us a glimpse of the weird world inhabited by mathematicians
—— BBC FocusBeautifully written
—— American ScientistIntriguing
—— The TimesA truly marvellous book
—— Martin GardnerWe have got to find a way to shift to a slow-travel culture. Our very survival as a species could well hinge on it. I very much hope this important book helps to awaken people, and make them want to join the debate.
—— Jeremy LeggettDazzling. There is nothing else quite like it and yet it addresses such an important aspect of our lives today.
—— Chris Stewart, author of DRIVING OVER LEMONSTimely and well-researched . . . this book makes for uncomfortable, yet necessary, reading for anyone who enjoys travel.
—— Sunday TelegraphAn elegantly written, well-researched, investigative travelogue that provides a valuable eye-witness account of the way holidays can impact - positively and negatively - on their destinations: environmentally, socially and economically . . . it arms the reader with a greater understanding of how to make more informed choices about where and how to holiday.
—— Richard Hammond , ResurgenceDespite the polemic, there is plenty of interest here, not least in [the book's] accessible description of how the travel industry works and the structures in place around the globe . . . Hickman acknowledges the increasing acceptance of environmental standards . . . But the argument he presents is a stark one - travel is damaging the world, and if we don't act soon, it may be too late. Sobering stuff.
—— Travel WeeklyA major new exposé . . . This is not yet another doomsday read about the perils of flying, or debating the pros and cons of carbon off-setting, it's an honest account of the huge impact we have on the destinations we frequent . . . Rather than throwing reams of statistics at us, Hickman paints a more graphic picture of the impact our travelling makes by telling the story through the eyes of locals he meets on his way round the globe. His discoveries of what lies behind the glossy veneer of a resort hotel make for sober reading.
—— ScotsmanA fascinating and harrowing read. I doubt anyone has spelt out the inherent dangers of tourism so clearly before. The publication of this could well prove to be a 'tipping point'.
—— Jason Webster, author of GUERRALeo Hickman's enthralling book should be read by politicians, students and, most of all, by every would-be tourist.
—— Tahir Shah, author of THE CALIPH'S HOUSEThis is a really excellent critique of the travel industry . . . If you are interested in the tourist industry this book is highly recommended, being easy to read, while being very thorough and searching in the questions it asks.
—— Fiona Archer , www.ecozine.co.ukExcellent and thoroughly compelling . . . The Final Call deserves to be read by those of us lucky enough to be able to fly on a regular basis . . . Hickman's book is a sobering, thoughtful and intelligent reminder that it is a privilege we need to be forcefully reminded not to take for granted.
—— Irish TimesThoughtful and thought-provoking.
—— Mick Herron , GEOGRAPHICAL magazineWell written and engaging without being too gloomy and prescriptive, this book makes for uncomfortable, yet necessary, reading for anyone who enjoys travel.
—— TelegraphThis much appreciated book should be a must-read for everyone who likes to travel, and should be translated into the languages of the world's tourism champions. It should also be a must-read for politicians and decision makers in development agencies to finally understand that tourism has lost the 'virginity' of a harmless leisure sector to develop into a dangerous global driving force which needs to be regulated and restricted.
—— Contours magazine