Heavenly Mathematics

""Heavenly Mathematics" is heavenly, is mathematics, and is so much more: history, astronomy, geography, and navigation replete with historical illustrations, elegant diagrams, and charming anecdotes. I haven't followed mathematical proofs with such delight in decades. If, as the author laments, spherical trigonometry was in danger of extinction, this book will give it a long-lasting reprieve."--David J. Helfand, president of the American Astronomical Society "This beautifully written book on an unusual topic, with its wealth of historical information about astronomy, navigation, and mathematics, is greatly to be welcomed."--Robin Wilson, president of the British Society for the History of Mathematics, author of "Four Colors Suffice: How the Map Problem Was Solved" "Written by the leading expert on the subject, this engaging book provides an in-depth historical introduction to spherical trigonometry. "Heavenly Mathematics" breathes new and interesting life into a topic that has been slumbering for far too long."--June Barrow-Green, associate editor of "The Princeton Companion to Mathematics" ""Heavenly Mathematics" is a very good book. It offers an interesting, accessible, and entertaining introduction to spherical trigonometry, which used to be a standard school topic but is now rarely studied. Interesting stories, engaging illustrations, and practical examples come together to enhance the reader's pleasure and understanding."--Fernando Q. Gouvea, Colby College "Van Brummelen provides not only a wonderful historical treatment of spherical trigonometry but also a modern one that shows how the ancient and medieval methods were replaced by newer and simpler means of problem solving. Many students will find this a fascinating and worthwhile subject."--Victor J. Katz, editor of "The Mathematics of Egypt, Mesopotamia, China, India, and Islam" "