Oxford figures. Eight centuries of the mathematical sciences
This is the second edition of the history of mathematics at Oxford University. The first edition had appeared in 2000; see [Zbl 0947.01017]. The notion of mathematics has to be understood in a broad, historical sense of the word. The eleven authors -- two of them have died in the meantime (Fauvel, North) -- included logic, mathematical instruments, astronomy and so on beginning in the Middle Ages and ending today. The five parts comprehend the early days, the 17th century (especially J. Wallis, E. Halley), the 18th century (especially Th. Hornsby), the Victorian era (especially H. Smith, Ch. Dodgson, J. J. Sylvester), and the modern era (especially G. H. Hardy, H. Whitehead, R. Penrose, Michael Atiyah and so on). Moreover, the introduction gives a survey of the eight concerned centuries, the epilogue describes recent developments. The book aims at a broad readership. Hence it avoids technical details but does everything to support the understanding of the readers (tables, summaries and so on). There are 290 attractive illustrations, diagrams, photos, caricatures. Unfortunately, their individual provenance is again not indicated, though this point had already been criticized by Ivor Grattan-Guinness in his review of the first edition.
scientific article; zbMATH DE number 6206186