Product Description
FLATLAND: A ROMANCE OF MANY DIMENSIONS is one of the great classic science fiction novels which continues to be as popular today as it ever was. As a satire, Flatland offered pointed observations on the social hierarchy of Victorian culture. However, the novel's more enduring contribution is its examination of dimensions; in a foreword to one of the many publications of the novel, noted science writer Isaac Asimov described Flatland as "The best introduction one can find into the manner of perceiving dimensions." As such, the novel is still popular amongst mathematics, physics and computer science students, as well as the average intelligent and thinking book reader. Several films have been made from the story, including a feature film in 2007 called simply Flatland. Other efforts have been short or experimental films, including one narrated by Dudley Moore and a short film with Martin Sheen titled Flatland: The Movie. And they are all based on this wonderfully imaginative book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

First Half Fairly Boring, Second Half Pretty Decent
I decided to read this book because a.) I have an interest in science/math b.) a friend recommended it.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed. Abbot starts off explaining what Flatland is: a purely 2D environment inhabited by various kinds of regular polygons (and circles). Shortly after, Abbot discusses flatland politics and this is where the book loses interest. While some of this discussion is indeed necessary for understanding what happens at the end, some of it is downright frivolous and unnecessary. I have absolutely no idea why, for instance, he discussed the "color revolution" at all.

About halfway through, Abbott finally discusses the more interesting aspect of the book: what happens when a 2-D object enters a 1-D world? Or when a 3-D object enters a 2-D world? Or what both "thought experiments" imply for an (n+1)-D object entering an n-D object, where n is an arbitrary non-negative integer. Of course, the book was written before time was ultimately considered to be the 4th dimension, so the reader needs to keep this in mind when Abbott treats the 4th dimension as spatial.

My advice to anyone considering this book is to read the beginning 10 pages or so, skip to the 2nd part of the story if it gets too boring, then finish it from there. It's a shame that the beginning has to undermine an otherwise interesting and thoughtful story.

a book with different dimensions to it
This book is about Square, a mathematician who lives in two-dimensional Flatland. He is a very lawful citizen, and goes out of his way to explain to his grandchildren that there is no third dimension, even theoretically. But when he is visited by a sphere from Spaceland, he finds it hard to deny the reality of a third dimension. He is given further reason to consider this possibility when he is granted the rare chance to visit Lineland. He is baffled when the king and queen of that country refuse to acknowledge his existance, because they cannot, in their sphere of experience, imagine that there could be any dimension higher than the first. He is finally convinced when the Sphere allows him to visit Spaceland, where he is able to experience first-hand the third dimension - something he never thought was possible when he lived in Flatland. He then tries his best to convince the rest of the two-dimensional shapes that there's a third dimension, even though they can't see or imagine it. "

I love this book ever since school days. A classic of science (and mathematical) fiction!

Delightful Fun!
Flatland is an account of the adventures of A Square in Lineland and Spaceland. In it Abbott tries to popularize the notion of multidimensional geometry but the book is also a clever satire on the social, moral, and religious values of the period. A romping good read!

intelligent
This book will give you a whole new perspective on religion, society, and life in general. ... Read more

Product Description

A century-old classic of British letters that charmed and fascinated generations of readers with its witty satire of Victorian society and its unique insights, by analogy, into the fourth dimension.

Customer Reviews (179)

See the World in Two Dimensions
Flatland is an exceptional story of a two-dimensional world. If you are familiar with basic mathematics and geometry (eg: you know what two and three dimensions mean), and want to experience life in other dimensions, than Flatland is a 'must read' novel.

The story is narrated by a Flatland citizen, who has become 'enlightened' of the third dimension (our dimension), and is trying to explain to the readers (us), how Flatland works.

The first part of Flatland is written in a somewhat descriptive manner. The narrator discusses how Flatland works, what their society is like, what sort of laws there are, etc. The narrator describes everything--from the way that Flatland maps are drawn to the complex classes and statuses of various Flatland citizens. I found this part of the book to be extremely interesting and thoughtful, and I found it fun to read through and imagine.

The second part of the book discusses the enlightenment of the narrator--or how he came to understand the third dimension (us). This is especially interesting (I won't spoil it), as it contains extremely visual descriptions of how one might peer from dimension to dimension, and is very humorous.

Overall, Flatland is an incredible book. It is not only very well written, but I found it to be very imaginative and enthralling. I frequently found myself engulfed in a two dimensional world while reading the book, and the narrator's tone and wording seemed a perfect match to describe the Flatland world and draw me into it. Furthermore, the book is not math heavy, and was easy to read. There is also another level of meaning and importance behind the mathematical and dimensional storyline--which is of course a reflection on our society and law. The book did an amazing job of discussing several very complex topics in a simple and intuitive manner.

The mathematical concepts displayed in the book are very elementary, but I would suggest that readers have taken at least a simple geometry course before reading the book, as it will be much easier to understand.

If you're interested in imaginative and exciting books, you need to read Flatland.

Horrible Edition
This edition is essentially unreadable and not representative of traditional printings. It's printed directly from the digitized (and free) copy from Google Books and has clearly had NO editing work done. The book is filled with references to figures that were not included, mangled words, and seemingly random breaks and markings in some spots. This would be fine for a free digitized text online, but is entirely unacceptable for a paid-for product, especially a short book that would be similarly priced in a physical store.

multi-dimensional
The scripture and intelligence conveyed in this story is interesting; however,
I found it to be rather sexist towards women. Nevertheless, the book uses extreme examples of analogy to solidify concepts. I really enjoyed it!

Literature of many dimensions
Very nice and cost effective edition. As for the text itself it's... inspiring. I'll would recommend it to all that like to think deeper sometimes.

More than Geometry
This book by analogy helps to explain the existence of other dimensions and can therefor can be used to explain many theological principles that seem contradictory in three dimensions. ... Read more

Product Description
Flatland, Edwin Abbott Abbott's story of a two-dimensional universe, as told by one of its inhabitants who is introduced to the mysteries of three-dimensional space, has enjoyed an enduring popularity from the time of its publication in 1884. This fully annotated edition enables the modern-day reader to understand and appreciate the many "dimensions" of this classic satire. Mathematical notes and illustrations enhance the usefulness of Flatland as an elementary introduction to higher-dimensional geometry. Historical notes show connections to late-Victorian England and to classical Greece. Citations from Abbott's other writings as well as the works of Plato and Aristotle serve to interpret the text. Commentary on language and literary style includes numerous definitions of obscure words. An appendix gives a comprehensive account of the life and work of Flatland's remarkable author. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Treasure!
Edwin A. Abbott's "Flatland" finally receives its due in this wonderful book. I hope very much that this annotated edition by Lindgren and Banchoff edition will spread interest far and wide, and will increase appreciation for its many aspects. I now believe that every student--and we are all students--should have the full experience of "Flatland," and this edition provides clear access to it. I often found myself happily wondering about possible alternatives to their suggestions; in other words, I was drawn in completely, though I have read "Flatland" many times and consider myself an honorary Flatlander.

Abbott's text appears on every left hand page; the annotations occur on the opposite, right hand page. "Flatland" has long served as a way of entry to higher-dimension geometries, and as a satire of Victorian mores. While attending to these elements (and doing in much more detail that other commentators), Lindgren and Banchoff explore the likenesses to Plato's cave with unprecedented thoroughness, and provide geometric diagrams and descriptions on many levels that will aid those readers who are "geometrically challenged" and that will engage mathematicians as well. Historical, cultural, and political notes abound as well.

The notes are not "explanations." Rather, they are ways of increasing enjoyment and of posing questions concerning the nature and limits of human imagination that anyone can enter, and that everyone can learn from and savor. ... Read more

Product Description
Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions is an 1884 novella by Edwin A. Abbott, still popular among mathematics and computer science students, and considered useful reading for people studying topics such as the concept of other dimensions. As a piece of literature, Flatland is respected for its satire on the social hierarchy of Victorian society.

The story posits a two dimensional world (Flatland). The unnamed narrator, a humble square (the social caste of gentlemen and professionals), guides us through some of the implications of life in two dimensions. The Square has a dream about a visit to a one-dimensional world (Lineland), and attempts to convince the realm's ignorant monarch of a second dimension, but finds that it is essentially impossible to make him see outside of his eternally straight line. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Kindle edition can't do this Justice
I was very excited to see this come out on Kindle; definitely one of many books I wanted to keep on me at all times. However, this version does not have any illustrations in at all, which makes the true experience and understanding of this book useless, as it uses many references that can only be fully understood through images.

Question: Why did I enjoy this book so much?
Intriguing. I don't know why I enjoyed this book - I really don't. Does give me a wholly new way to think about the phrase "I feel you, man!" LOL!

I do wish that I hadn't read the introductory material first. Perhaps, then, I wouldn't have been evaluating each and every word for the social commentary that the introductory material said was one of the primary reasonsthat Abbott wrote the book.

Of course, the real theme of the book, which isn't subtle at all, is the risk of assuming the world is as "you" see it and that governments tend to reinforce that collective viewpoint. Perhaps in the day it was written the very concept of dimensions beyond the three that we can "see" was an explosive issue. If so, that must have been detonated only in a select circle (snark). I can't "see" that this would have been typical drawing-room conversation.

I thought Square's commentary on Flatland's social classes - even the almost malicious view of women -was very funny but, I have to admit, I did tend to get distracted with pragmatic questions such as "how does a square "sit"?" Square would hit me, just as this distraction started, with phrases such as "the reader would be bored if I went into detail about how we in Flatland sit." LOL!

As I said, I don't know why I enjoyed the book but I did and will go onto the supposed sequels - "Sphereland" and others - to see if those authors' efforts intrigue me as well.

DL

Enlargement of the Imagination, Indeed!! Great for any age
Read aloud, Abbotts' Shakespearean flare rings out with lovely sounds as wonderful to ears of a toddler at bedtime as it is to an adult with spirited imagination or any rebel who enjoys the venting of 'dangerous utterances'. An enchanting read at any age. I recommend it for younger readers so that they may have many years to re-read and grow with it.

If you find a modern-day difficultly with Abbott's gender inequality (a clear challenge to some animators),consider that orthogonal planes do indeed look like lines to each other. "When ... flat human is turned on his side, his personality is hidden inside the plane ... indistinguishable from others. Another human then turned to her side orthogonal to the first would then appear just a line. We...turn to adornment to reveal a contrived identity, whether true or deceitful. Instead, if we were to expand the dimensionality of our perception we could see inside both the male and female planes. " (Peterson,Flatland Point: The DRUM & DRAW Navigations, 2009)

flatlanders
Reading reviews on this little gem of a novelette I have owned for over 33 years now, I see most have completely missed the point.Square states this clearly: "inspired people are always considered by the majority to be mad".Although Abbott's little book has been embraced by generations, used as a guide to kiddy schoolers in understanding geometry, its message runs much deeper.It is an illustration ofmankind's effect on innovators who disclose knowledge at the cosmological level. It is the story that parallels all those who became a majority of one, all those who have seen further than others, to all who examine a pretty shell at the beach and realize there is a sea of knowledge before them, to all who have dared to step outside the box. Those are the innovators who have stepped out of flatland into spaceland and were subsequently denounced and ridiculed. Galileo, who expanded the universe a thousand fold, was put into house arrest by the inquisition...those priests refusing to "look through his tube" (a telescope).We pay the Edison company for a Nikola Tesla product (the inventor of alternating current). Tesla died almost forgotten and penniless. When demonstrating the first electro-magnetic device, Faraday was asked what good is it?His response, "I don't know...what good is a newborn baby?Someday they will learn how to tax it". The history and drama of the discoverer is the story of "square", his newly acquiredcosmological knowledge through meeting "sphere", and what happened when he tried to disclose it to flatlanders."Square" was a spacelander in a world of flatlanders.

Thought provoking and fun to read.
It's humorous and it also shows how hard it is to expand your outlook. The difficulty for someone living in one dimension (point land) trying to conceive of two dimensional life (flatland) and the flatlanders trying to imagine three dimensional life (space land).

It was written over one hundred years ago and I have read reviews that say it's politically incorrect, but I don't see it. Anyway, it's worth looking at and the price is right.
... Read more

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Tried to like it
I downloaded this on my Kindle App after hearing about it on "Big Bang Theory" and tried to like it.I really did.But now it has been several months, and I'm less than 1/4 of the way through it.The first few chapters were interesting, but after a bit, I got completely lost.Sorry Flatland, maybe I'll try again in a few years. ... Read more

Product Description
As a satire, Flatland offered pointed observations on the social hierarchy of Victorian culture. However, the novella's more enduring contribution is its examination of dimensions; in a foreword to one of the many publications of the novella, noted science writer Isaac Asimov described Flatland as "The best introduction one can find into the manner of perceiving dimensions." As such, the novella is still popular amongst mathematics, physics and computer science students. The story is about a two-dimensional world referred to as Flatland. The unnamed narrator, a humble square (the social caste of gentlemen and professionals), guides us through some of the implications of life in two dimensions. The Square has a dream about a visit to a one-dimensional world (Lineland), and attempts to convince the realm's ignorant monarch of a second dimension, but finds that it is essentially impossible to make him see outside of his eternally straight line. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Flatland
Story a bit confusing at times but once understud the position of each shape,duty and dimension they represent; things starts to shape up opening a fresh way of thinking and interact. Meaning that just one view is not enough to understand and love one another but the open view and the category that each of us represents in the shape we relate to it will bring a different opinion in how we judge each-other.some people walks all their lives with only one view of their surrounding(flatland)without thinking and lot of judgemental opinion towards others.the spaceland shape look and study creations(people) and surrounding, understanding that love is needed and guidance for the less fortunate bringing them out from the flat way of living. Put God first in all you do because the creations He gaveus is to enjoy, to honor,and to love. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Not really "Illustrated"
Yes, it's free.Still a misnomer to bill this as "Illustrated."These are rather ugly ASCII "approximations" of the actual illustrations, and they don't even display on the Kindle.

Great book.Would be interested in paying a little money for a version that displayed the original artwork, but am not confident that Amazon is labeling these accurately.

A call to imagine the unimaginable
It's probably a well known fact that this book is used by math teachers everywhere as an invaluable guide to understanding dimensions. It probably also well known that Flatland is an effective illumination of Victorian class structure. What I wasn't expecting was that this book would open my eyes in a profound way. For me, I found that Flatland was, more than anything, a call to imagine the unimaginable. The metaphor of the protagonist trying to conceive of something beyond his ability, but unequivocally existent nonetheless, was the perfect sentiment for me to try to approach things with a more open mind.

The only thing stopping me from rating this a perfect '5' was the beginning chapters that seemed to drag on monotonously, for me. Also, as far as this Kindle edition goes, the ASCII illustrations didn't appear on my Kindle 2. I didn't really mind at all, though, and for the price, I'd be mad to complain. That's why I love the Kindle freebies, life changing novels -or novellas, in this case- for $0.00.

Flatland is a book I am not likely to ever forget.

This book is amazing
This book changed the way I think about dimensions. Illuminating Intullectially and a great read otherwise. Free AND illustrated? Hell yes. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Useless
printed badly, like a hardcopies glued together - very low value in terms of physical book and information

How to write clearly
I was disappointed on the quality of the print. A few pages were blurred hard to read, some were suchHow to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition light ink wasalso hard to read. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Flatland: The Movie Edition
The book is a good read, and has the script to the movie contained within Flatland: The Movie I liked the movie, but I liked this other movie better: Flatland the Film

Awesome Book goes great with the movie
This version of the book has all the original text by Edwin A. Abbott and some really cool graphics from the movie.There are two versions of the movie, the version with Martin Sheen is far better.

Shame on me.
I thought I was ordering the movie.But it was a book about the movie.I like books but not this one. ... Read more

Product Description
Cómo sería la existencia en un mundo de dos dimensiones? Y de una sola? Y de ninguna dimensión? Y, por encima de las tres dimensiones, existen espacios de 4, 5, 10 o más dimensiones? Y, si existen, se puede conectar con ellos? En Planilandia, la fantasía matemática se entrecruza con otro género: el de la sátira social (en su variante de viajes imaginarios en clave cómica, en la línea de Rabelais o Swift). La crítica social aquí alcanza mucho más allá de la sociedad victoriana que constituía su blanco directo. La condición plana del mundo de Planilandia, y la consiguiente imposibilidad, para las figuras planas que lo habitan, de mirar hacia arriba o hacia abajo, funcionan como una eficaz metáfora para la representación satírica de la estrechez de miras de una sociedad regida por una elite satisfecha de sí misma, cuyo prestigio se basa en la desigualdad institucionalizada. Las posiciones de Edwin A. Abbott, favorables a la completa emancipación de la mujer, a una igualdad universal de derechos cívicos cuya consecución comportaría el derrocamiento de las capas sociales dirigentes, y a la instauración de una democracia popular sustentada por el (entonces todavía lejano) sufragio universal, podrían ser suscritas desde las posiciones sociopolíticas más avanzadas de la actualidad. Al cabo, pues, de más de un siglo de su primera publicación, Planilandia es un imprescindible relato de desbordante ingenio matemático al tiempo que aguda sátira social. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
Edwin Abbott Abbott (1838-1926), English schoolmaster and theologian, is best known as the author of the mathematical satire and religious allegory Flatland (1884). He was educated at the City of London School and at St John's College, Cambridge, where he took the highest honours in classics, mathematics and theology, and became fellow of his college. Dr. Abbott's liberal inclinations in theology were prominent both in his educational views and in his books. His Shakespearian Grammar (1870) is a permanent contribution to English philology. In 1885 he published a life of Francis Bacon. His theological writings include three anonymously published religious romances - Philochristus (1878), Onesimus (1882), and Sitanus (1906). More weighty contributions are the anonymous theological discussion The Kernel and the Husk (1886), Philomythus (1891), his book The Anglican Career of Cardinal Newman (1892), and his article The Gospels in the ninth edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, embodying a critical view which caused considerable stir in the English theological world. He also wrote St. Thomas of Canterbury, his Death and Miracles (1898), Johannine Vocabulary (1905) and Johannine Grammar (1906). ... Read more

Product Description
How would a creature limited to two dimensions be able to grasp the possibility of a third? Edwin A. Abbott's droll and delightful "romance of many dimensions" explores this conundrum in the experiences of his protagonist, A Square, whose linear world is invaded by an emissary Sphere bringing the gospel of the third dimension. Part geometry lesson, part social satire, this classic work of science fiction brilliantly succeeds in enlarging all readers' imaginations beyond the limits of their "respective dimensional prejudices."
This new edition begins with an introduction by Rosemary Jann that illuminates the social and intellectual context that produced the work and explains its relationship to the theological issues central to Abbott's career. It also provides the most extensive discussion to date of the class and gender issues raised by the text and of the debates over the limits of scientific and mathematical knowledge in which it participated.
Flatlands unique combination of astute social, philosophical, and mathematical observations with wit and humor can be read at many different levels, and will prove especially enjoyable to readers of Victorian literature and philosophy. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Flatland: Hardly Two-Dimensional
Flatland, the short novel by Edwin Abbott, combines geometry, satire, and culture into a single delicious feast. The language is victorian, as it was published in 1884, but simple enough that almost anyone, of any experience with math or English, can understand exactly what is going on.

The story is simple, elegant, and hilarious, and no words are wasted.

Highly recommended. A very unique read.

Book does not hold my interest
Although the item was shipped properly and received on time, it does not hold my interest.

Thought provoking
Everyone should read this book at some time in their life.It makes you realize the limitation of our physical senses.

Flatland
If you are looking for a book that makes you think this is the one. Written in 1867, its amazing that we are still having the problems that are embellished in this lovely book. This book helped me remember I need to be more empathic to others when they are limited in thier perception. And for me to never stop dreaming.

Have always loved this book...
This has always been a favorite of mine, so I wanted to christen my kindle with it. I imagine most people who will buy it for the kindle have probably already read it.If you like a mixture of Gulliver's Travels, Geometry and social commentary, it is worth the small amount of money.Of course you can get it for free since it was written in the late 1800's, but the Gutenberg version doesn't have good diagrams - they are all ASCII.I couldn't find diagrams in the versions available on AMAZON except the Oxford World's Classics edition, so that is the one I recommend.The diagrams are important for the geometry aspect and are excellent in this version. ... Read more

Product Description
This Halcyon Classics ebook contains Edwin Abbott's classic satire 'Flatland.'Set in a two-dimensional world, the author explores the nature of dimensions. This novella remains a popular read among science fiction fans. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1900. This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies.All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume. ... Read more