Reviews

“There is a great deal to like about this book, starting with the author's writing style, which I found particularly clear and enjoyable. ... This is an excellent book, and is highly recommended. ” —Mark Hunacek, MAA Reviews
“Despite the low level of assumed knowledge [of his readers]... Feldman manages to get a remarkably long way, both in conveying an understanding of the concepts of chaotic dynamics and fractal geometry and in introducing new mathematical ideas.... Feldman also includes some excellent material on the scientific and philosophical and historical context, looking at such things as the difference between popular and scientific understandings of 'chaos', the historical relationship of dynamics to ideas of causality and the Scientific Revolution, the difficulty of giving a single definition of 'fractal', the difference between mathematical and real fractals, and so forth.” —Danny Yee, Danny's Reviews
“The style of writing is easy on the reader. The explanations are clear and illustrated with many diagrams and side notes. ...Feldman has produced an excellent book to provide a firm foundation of the methods [of chaos and fractals] and it will give any reader a very clear understanding of the mathematics involved. For anybody wishing to learn about chaos and fractals this book must be read. ” —John Sykes, Mathematics in School
“For the right audience and instructor, this is a wonderful book. With considerable effort on both sides it can take a wide audience with modest mathematics to a reasonable understanding of what is behind much of the complex phenomena seen in modern mathematical models of the physical universe.” —Thomas B. Ward, Zentralblatt MATH.
“The only textbook on chaos and fractals for non-science and mathematics majors. Covers central phenomena and ideas of chaos and fractals in a careful, intellectually honest, but accessible way.” —L'Ensiegnement Mathématique (2) 59
“As the title suggests, this book provides a good introduction to chaos and fractals at an elementary level, with only some elementary algebra being assumed. No previous study of either calculus or physics is needed. The author has a talent for providing clear succinct explanations in very simple, easily understood language and the reader is gently led into more and more complex ideas and concepts.” —Allan Duncan, Scottish Mathematical Council Journal
“Chaos and fractals are two intertwined concepts that have revolutionized many areas of science and renewed popular interest in mathematics over the past few decades. Feldman's book is a rich resource for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of these subjects without the need for advanced mathematics.” —Julien Clinton Sprott, University of Wisconsin-Madison
“David P. Feldman provides a delightful and thoughtful introduction to chaos and fractals requiring only a good background in algebra. The formal treatment of nonlinear dynamics, chaotic behavior, Lyapunov exponents, and fractal dimensions is leavened with creative analogies and many helpful and visually attractive figures and diagrams. Even more mathematically sophisticated readers will find this book a good starting point in exploring the complex and beguiling realms of chaos and fractals.” —Robert C. Hilborn, Associate Executive Officer, American Association of Physics Teachers