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| View Larger Image | A New Kind of Science
by Stephen Wolfram
| | List Price: | $44.95 | | Price: | $35.83 | | You Save: | $9.12 (20%) |  | | Available: | Usually ships in 24 hours | | | | | Sales Rank: | 77992 | | Studio: | Wolfram Media | | | Binding: | Hardcover | | Number Of Pages: | 1192 | | Publication Date: | December 31, 1969 | | Publisher: | Wolfram Media |
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EDITORIAL REVIEWS |
Book Description
This long-awaited work from one of the world's most respected scientists presents a series of dramatic discoveries never before made public. Starting from a collection of simple computer experiments---illustrated in the book by striking computer graphics---Wolfram shows how their unexpected results force a whole new way of looking at the operation of our universe. Wolfram uses his approach to tackle a remarkable array of fundamental problems in science: from the origin of the Second Law of thermodynamics, to the development of complexity in biology, the computational limitations of mathematics, the possibility of a truly fundamental theory of physics, and the interplay between free will and determinism. Written with exceptional clarity, and illustrated by more than a thousand original pictures, this seminal book allows scientists and non-scientists alike to participate in what promises to be a major intellectual revolution. |
Amazon.com
Physics and computer science genius Stephen Wolfram, whose Mathematica computer language launched a multimillion-dollar company, now sets his sights on a more daunting goal: understanding the universe. Wolfram lets the world see his work in A New Kind of Science, a gorgeous, 1,280-page tome more than a decade in the making. With patience, insight, and self-confidence to spare, Wolfram outlines a fundamental new way of modeling complex systems. On the frontier of complexity science since he was a boy, Wolfram is a champion of cellular automata--256 "programs" governed by simple nonmathematical rules. He points out that even the most complex equations fail to accurately model biological systems, but the simplest cellular automata can produce results straight out of nature--tree branches, stream eddies, and leopard spots, for instance. The graphics in A New Kind of Science show striking resemblance to the patterns we see in nature every day. Wolfram wrote the book in a distinct style meant to make it easy to read, even for nontechies; a basic familiarity with logic is helpful but not essential. Readers will find themselves swept away by the elegant simplicity of Wolfram's ideas and the accidental artistry of the cellular automaton models. Whether or not Wolfram's revolution ultimately gives us the keys to the universe, his new science is absolutely awe-inspiring. --Therese Littleton |
CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 3.0 based on 329 reviews)
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Big, Beautiful and Formidable 
I received A New Kind of Science by Stephen Wolfram in July 2002. It sits on a shelf in a place of honor. Occasionally, I take it down and open it as one would an expensive Bible. Someday, I'll really study it. Until then I love its feel, its heft, its marvelous and painstaking creation. It promises much--almost like the Bible promising eternal life. I bought it again as a gift for a young man just graduating from the University of Memphis in Computer Science. He's already deep into its pages. I envy him in a way. Perhaps he'll explain it to me. Not that I need any explanation. With faith I already know it is worthy of eternal life on my top shelf.
May 28, 2008 | |
An Extraordinary Compendium of Research Notes 
So much has been written, there is little left to add, nevertheless... Wolfram set out to find the underlying set of axioms that define all "Type 4" sets of axioms, the sets that give rise to complexity. Finding that defining set of axioms, if that's even possible, would have been an extraordinary accomplishment, but he could not crack the code. The fact that he was unable to make any progress at all is perhaps revealing about the nature of such sets of axioms. All he was left to do was to publish his research notes. He may have credited himself with more than he accomplished, but he has compiled an extraordinary compendium of notes.
April 20, 2008 | |
Excellent
This book makes you thing, of matters that you thought that are not explainable. This is accomplished by illustrating simple rules, that could actually makde our world!
It's not "a New Kind of Science". It's rather "Science of the World"
March 28, 2008 | |
Courage to push forward
"Many" (well most of what I've read) of the other reviews here (there are HUNDREDS right now, and actually, many of the reviews here are incredibly good, but I don't think I'm going to read them all...) criticize the hell out of Wolfram. And they are right to do so... yup, a lot of his material has been around in one form or another before...BUT I think you have to give him something for the courage to put it all together and say this is another way of doing, of thinking about science, and honestly, it really is.
If I thought too hard about everything in the book then I suppose I could criticize him too. But I like what I've learned so far in the book.
I hope this little review gives someone else the courage to spend the $32 (Amazon discount price at the time of writing) and get this book and learn about a different way at looking at the world around us.
January 18, 2008 | |
Not that bad 
Not that bad. The Revolutionary theory is missing. But... excellent reading for the non-scientist (like me).
November 26, 2007 | |
SIMILAR PRODUCTS |
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