Tuesday, August 05, 2008

An Odd Longing

So, I was reading a book for work today, and I came across this.
I' m now longing for it, but nearly $60.00 for a math book? Either:

a. I'm really, really dedicated to my work
b. I'm a total loser geek
c. I'm insane

I'm sure it isn't "a," because if someone were to say to me tomorrow, "Emily, quit your job, and I'll pay you your current salary to write ghost stories," I wouldn't exactly reply with a "Hmmm...let me think about that." Thus, it must be either "b" or "c." Maybe it's both.

Please, someone talk some sense into me. Or give me some company. Is it just me, or does it look interesting to anyone else out there?

12 comments:

Rebecca H. said...

Oh, it looks interesting to me too. Perhaps we could split the cost and share a copy??

Emily Barton said...

Dorr, hmmm, now that's an idea. We can be loser geeks and totally insane together (but we'll know more about the history of math than the next guy, won't we?).

Anne Camille said...

Two words: Inter-library loan!

Anonymous said...

Wow, though I'll never dream of buying such a book myself, I'm grateful you showed me that it existed. I feel more intelligent by just reading the synopsis!

Emily Barton said...

Cam, funny you should suggest that. I checked both NYPL and Philadelphia to see if either of them had it, but they didn't. Thus, I guess it will have to come from some academic library if I go that route. Perhaps then I can decide whether or not I really want to purchase it.

Smithereens, well, glad to have made you a little more intelligent :-)!

IM said...

Although the phrase "Euclidean geometric proofs" gave me an instant headache, this seems to have enough historical context to interest this mathaphobe. Let me know how it is. I don't think you're a loser geek, just someone trying to make math interesting.

ZoesMom said...

Although it does look interesting I can't claim to want to read it myself, but that does not mean I don't know someone who would like it. I am quite sure (if she doesn't have it already) my mother would buy this book in a heartbeat and she is not a total geek loser and only slightly insane so I think you could consider yourself in good company if you bought it.

Emily Barton said...

Ian, I had a feeling the historian in you might be a little interested despite the word "math."

ZM, quick! Go browse your mom's shelves! On second thought, don't, because it will mean that next time I visit, my nose will be buried in a book, and I won't be talking to either you or your mom.

Anonymous said...

I don't think you are a total loser geek. A geek, yes, but not a loser geek ;) It does look interesting.

Emily Barton said...

Stef, okay, I'll settle for "geek" without the "loser."

Susan said...

geek, sorry, Emily, but it's definitely b. It could be c), but not because you want a math book! lol I have to confess that the little hairs on my neck were lifting and the sentences blurred at 'applying logorithms to business practices". If you can find it, and you want it, please translate it for me!!!

Emily Barton said...

Susan, well, at least you're honest. I promise, when I get my hands on the book, to try to translate.