Archimedes

Heath, Thomas Little, Sir, 1861-1940Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.2

Word count: 103K words
Chapters: 11

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Archimedes by Sir Thomas Little HeathAuthor: Heath, Thomas Little, Sir, 1861-1940,Language: English, Class: QA: Science: Mathematics, Release Date: Mar 11, 2011

Editor's review

This is Sir Thomas Little Heath's monograph on Archimedes, a classic treatment in the history of mathematics and classical science. Heath is known for rigorous textual scholarship and mathematical exposition, and the book covers Archimedes' life, works and scientific contributions; it suits readers who want to understand the achievements of ancient Greek mathematics. As a public-domain Project Gutenberg e-book, it is easy to search and to compare against source texts, and it is especially rewarding alongside classical works such as the Elements. There is no need to read it straight through: begin with Archimedes' central propositions in geometry and mechanics, then use the notes to understand his methods of proof. Note that the book is in English and contains much mathematical derivation and quotation from classical sources, so beginners should read slowly and use diagrams and background material for support.

Who it's for

A good fit for

University students interested in ancient Greek mathematics and the history of science
Historians of mathematics who need English primary-source references
Popular-science readers wanting to understand Archimedes' contributions to geometry and mechanics
Readers with some English reading ability who enjoy classical scientific texts

Not a good fit for

Readers who find English difficult and want a plain Chinese popular biography
Readers expecting an easy, story-driven narrative and unwilling to engage with mathematical derivations
Readers who only want a quick outline of Archimedes' life and are not interested in scholarly textual study

Reading tips

Read the introduction and the life section first to establish the historical background, then move on to discussion of the specific works.
Draw the geometrical figures by hand or with software and check the book's propositions as you read.
Skip quotations from classical sources at first, read for the general sense, then return to them in detail.
Take notes chapter by chapter, recording Archimedes' core methods and conclusions.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book an original work by Archimedes?

No. It is Heath's study of Archimedes, containing discussion and interpretation of his life, works and scientific contributions, not a plain translation of Archimedes' own writings. Treat it as a scholarly guide and use it alongside an English translation of the original works.

Can I read this book without a mathematical background?

You can, but it will be somewhat difficult. The book involves geometrical propositions and mechanical arguments, and complete beginners may struggle. It is advisable to learn the basic concepts of Euclidean geometry first, or to skip detailed derivations and focus on the biographical and concluding chapters.

What reading approach suits the e-book edition?

This is a public-domain Project Gutenberg e-book, well suited to reading on a computer or tablet, where names, terms and source references are easy to search. A reading app that supports annotation is recommended so you can mark propositions and quotations for cross-reference.

What background knowledge is needed?

Basic geometry is desirable, along with a general sense of ancient Greek history and the scientific tradition. Familiarity with the essentials of Euclid's Elements will make the discussions of area, volume and the lever principle easier to follow.

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About the author

Heath, Thomas Little, Sir, 1861-1940 Author

Sir Thomas Little Heath (1861–1940) was a British scholar of ancient Greek mathematics and the history of science, whose works are known for rigorous textual scholarship and clear exposition. Two of his works are held in this collection: Archimedes and The Copernicus of Antiquity. The former examines Archimedes' life together with his achievements in mathematics and mechanics, while the latter focuses on the heliocentric ideas of the ancient Greek astronomer Aristarchus and shows the influence of ancient science on later ages. Heath combined original sources with historical context, making specialized material accessible to general readers. Public information on his education, posts, and biographical details is limited, so no conjecture is offered here; his works remain important references in the study of ancient Greek science.