The theory of parallel lines by Johann Heinrich Lambert. Presented, translated and commented by A. Papadopoulos and G. Théret (Q2879452)

Johann Heinrich Lambert (1728--1777), best known for proving the irrationality of \(\pi\), wrote in 1766 his ``Theorie der Parallel-Linien'' (posthumously published in 1786), where he tried to give a proof by contradiction for Euclid's parallel postulate. Lambert is sometimes treated as one of the predecessors of the originators of non-Euclidean geometry. The book under review is an excellent presentation of Lambert's work. It consists of six chapters among which are an outline of the history of parallels, an account of Lambert's life and scientific activities, the German original and a French translation of the text, and some mathematical comments on it.