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The Colours of Infinity

The Beauty and Power of Fractals

Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Springer London Ltd

Published:9th Dec '10

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The Colours of Infinity cover

A geometry able to include mountains and clouds now exists. I put it together in 1975, but of course it incorporates numerous pieces that have been around for a very long time. Like everything in science, this new geometry has very, very deep and long roots. Benoît B. Mandelbrot Introduction This enhanced and expanded edition of THE COLOURS OF INFINITY features an additional chapter on the money markets by the fractal master himself, Professor Benoît Mandelbrot. The DVD of the film associated with this book has been re-mastered especially for this edition with exquisite new fractal animations, which will take your breath away! Driven by the curious enthusiasm that engulfs many fractalistas, in 1994, Nigel Lesmoir-Gordon overcame enormous obstacles to raise the finance for, then shoot and edit the groundbreaking TV documentary from which this book takes its name. The film has been transmitted on TV channels in over fifty countries around the world. This book is not just a celebration of the discovery of the Mandelbrot set, it also brings fractal geometry up to date with a gathering of the thoughts and enthusiasms of the foremost writers and researchers in the field. As Ian Stewart makes clear in the opening chapter, there were antecedents for fractal geometry before 1975 when Mandelbrot gave the subject its name and began to develop the underlying theory.

From the reviews of the second edition:

“The book contains nine chapters in all, with contributions from well-known figures such as Arthur C. Clarke, Benoit Mandelbrot, Ian Stewart and Michael Barnsley. … One good feature … is that rather than simply considering fractals from a theoretical point of view, an effort has been made to discuss practical applications of this interesting area of mathematics. For those who are new to the notion of fractals, this book might be worth considering … .” (Martin Griffiths, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 97 (539), July, 2013)

“A more up-to-date survey of the developments in the field of fractal geometry since the documentary was released. … this book provides an attractive advert for the mathematical study of fractals. Together with the corresponding documentary, it should inspire those encountering the subject for the first time to want to explore it more.” (David A. Croydon, Mathematical Reviews, January, 2013)

“This enhanced and expanded edition of the book features chapters written both by the leading experts in the field of fractal geometry and by the contributors to the film. … The book contains dozens of breath taking photographs, and the documentary … has been digitally re-mastered to include amazing new fractal animations. Both the book and the film provide plenty of useful facts about fractals in a very inspiring, delightful and aesthetically pleasant form. Warmly recommended!” (Svitlana P. Rogovchenko, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1215, 2011)

ISBN: 9781849964852

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

207 pages

2nd ed. 2010