Sociobiology and Conflict: Evolutionary perspectives on competition, cooperation, violence and warfare

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Imagine an equilateral triangle. Now, imagine smaller equilateral triangles perched in the center of each side of the original triangle--you have a Star of David. Now, place still smaller equilateral triangles in the center of each of the star's 12 sides. Repeat this process infinitely and you have a Koch snowflake, a mind-bending geometric figure with an infinitely large perimeter, yet with a finite area. This is an example of the kind of mathematical puzzles that this book addresses.

The Fractal Geometry of Nature is a mathematics text. But buried in the deltas and lambdas and integrals, even a layperson can pick out and appreciate Mandelbrot's point: that somewhere in mathematics, there is an explanation for nature. It is not a coincidence that fractal math is so good at generating images of cliffs and shorelines and capillary beds.

Customer Reviews:

changed the way I look at the world.......2006-04-25

Visually, I see nature in a much richer way. As an artist, I find fractals to be inexhaustable inspiration. There is no better text to explain Mandlebrot's theories in a detailed but understandable way than the seminal work itself. Sometimes I got lost in the math, but most of it I could follow. I found helpful the notes in the text indicating which parts were mathematical asides for the technically-minded readers, where other readers could skip ahead without losing any understanding. the illustrations are evocative and timeless diagrams of real phenomena. If I were a more spiritual person, I am sure this book would be proof of the existence of god.

A seminal work.......2005-09-07

Very few books have so many quotes as this one. I am not sure if there is much left to be said, but I know this. For those professionals who still think that fractals are "spurious solutions coming from the discretization of differential equations", should take a closer look to this book. Not only won't harm, but also will show many interesting features about the nature of fractals and the "fractality" of nature, besides the fact that many of them come from *difference* equations, which are not necessarily related to the discretization of a differential equation. This book is based on serious work from many well-reputed mathematicians before Mandelbrot, e.g., Haussdorff, Lyapunov and some others. Although the book does talk about the mathematics behind fractals (wouldn't be so much a book of mathematics if it didn't, but also a philosophical one) and the necessity of coining some new mathematical terms, it also contains so much about history of mathematics, the path that leads towards fractals. As I said, the book is many times quoted, but (without trying to point a firing, accusing finger), there is a difference in quoting a book because it is famous, and another actually reading it, and having enlightenment for our own sake. Certainly I think is a "must-have-it" for most mathematicians, for many physicists, philosophers of science and engineers, but also it wouldn't be a bad guest in the library of any layman, provided the layman overcomes for some minutes the initial "classical" fear to mathematics. I would say this layman won't regret it at all. Mandelbrot does explain most of the concepts practically "ab initio", from the very scratch, including etymology and history as I previously said. One little thing against this book though: it doesn't have so many color plates as some other books on the subject, but it does have all the needed graphics to grasp the concepts.

Nice coffee table book? Not much else........2005-03-29

The BOOK by the MAN who coined the name fractal and brought them
to the general public. (Actually an enhanced version of an
earlier book with a slightly different title, same publisher.)

This book has historical value I suppose. But there are now
prettier picture books if you want those or you can easily create
your own. And if you are interested in the maths then you should
definitely look elsewhere (Devaney perhaps?). I think there is a
nice collection of papers by early 20th century pioneers
available too.

Now I wonder is Mandelbrot really the mathematician he is reputed
to be in popular imagination? It seems to me there is little here
that was not thought of before in the early 20th century by
Hausdorff, Poincare, Julia, Lebesgue, Bachelier and others. And
the whole fractal idea seems to have a life of its own in popular
imagination that does not to be justified according to the (much
smaller) importance in physics and other sciences.

Essential classic book for everyone's library.......2004-11-10

Mandelbrot presents unique and infinitely deep look at nature. The emerging theory of interaction shows that his notion of fractal turned to be more fruitful than anyone could guess. Savov's theory of interaction rigorously proves that nature is one self-reproducing and therefore self-similar fractal like interaction. Its oscillating sources remain always finite and synchronize to eject smaller similar ones.

A dated but still fascinating book.......2002-08-27

This was the book that first caught my attention. It was the cover diagram: a figure the like of which I had never seen. One thing led to another until I finally wrote my own application of fractals, Fractals in Music.

Book Description

This volume considers river basins and drainage networks in the light of their scaling and multi-scaling properties, and the dynamics responsible for their development.

Customer Reviews:

Good overview of subject, lots of references.......1998-04-18

Easy to understand analysis of river systems. This is a good text for a graduate-level course. It is also a valuable reference for any geologist or hydrologist involved in work that deals with modern or ancient fluvial systems. CJD

Scattering, Natural Surfaces, and Fractals

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what does it mean to scatter off a fractal surface?

Scattering, Natural Surfaces, and Fractals
Giorgio Franceschetti , and Daniele Riccio
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Scattering of Electromagnetic Waves, Numerical Simulations

ASIN: 0122656555

Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive overview of electromagnetic scattering from natural surfaces, ranging from the classical to the more recent (fractal) approach. As remote sensing applications become increasingly important, this text provides readers with a solid background in interpretation, classification and thematization of microwave images. The scattering problem is discussed in detail with emphasis on its application to electromagnetic wave propagation, remote sensing, radar detection, and electromagnetic diagnostics. Natural surface and fractals complete this treatise focusing on how the fractal model represents our natural environment and other planets in our solar system, most recently as used to research the planet Venus and Titan, one of the moons of Saturn. An example of how scattering, fractals, and natural surfaces are of great importance is the following: Natural oil slicks in the ocean have been found to be fractal while man-made ones (generated by illegal washing of oil carrying ships) are not. Processing of an ocean image from space may detect the latter by means of a fractal analysis.

*An elegant and clear treatment of a rigorous topic with informative prose and realistic illustrations of scattering
*Provides readers with a solid background in interpretation, classification, and thematization of microwave images
*The only book available on fractal models and their application to scattering

Customer Reviews:

what does it mean to scatter off a fractal surface?.......2006-12-29

The book discusses modelling natural surfaces, not as traditional geometric surfaces, but as fractal-like in essence. Over some length ranges, this appears to be a more realistic approach. Then, the text goes into describing what the effects of electromagnetic scattering would be, off such a surface.

The maths can get a trifle involved. But readers with a solid background in Maxwell's Equations should be able to follow the argument. There are treatments of a given surface, modelled by fractals. Here, the reasoning is deterministic, as we have a specific surface. But there is also the contrasting analysis of a stochastic surface, where we might be looking at various averages of scattering, like the far field scattered power density and its fluctuations.

Fractals in Petroleum Geology and Earth Processes (The Language of Science)

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Fractals in Petroleum Geology and Earth Processes (The Language of Science)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0306448688

Book Description

In this unique volume, renowned experts discuss the applications of fractals in petroleum research-offering an excellent introduction to the subject. Contributions cover a broad spectrum of applications from petroleum exploration to production. Papers also illustrate how fractal geometry can quantify the spatial heterogeneity of different aspects of geology and how this information can be used to improve exploration and production results.

Fractal Modelling: Growth and Form in Biology

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Fractal Modelling: Growth and Form in Biology
Jaap A. Kaandorp
Manufacturer: Springer-Verlag Telos
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0387566856

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New developments in computer science, biology, mathematics and physics offer possibilities to obtain deeper understanding of growth and forms of organisms. It is now possible to carry out simulation experiments in which the growth process can be simulated in virtual computer objects. In this book, methods from fractal geometry are applied to model growth forms. As a case study, a type of growth process is used which can be found among various taxonomic classes of organisms such as sponges and corals. The growth of these organisms is simulated with 2D and 3D geometrical objects. The models presented in the book provide a rendering method for natural objects which is based on the actual growth process. The models can be used, for example, to understand the amazing variety of forms to be found in a coral reef. Models which mimic the growth of forms and the environmental influence on the growth process are also useful for ecologists. A combination of simulation models and the actual growth forms can be used to detect the effects of slow changes in the environment.

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Fractals in Reservoir Engineering
H. H. Hardy , and Richard A. Beier
Manufacturer: World Scientific Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 9810220693

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Fractal Models in the Earth Sciences
G. Korvin
Manufacturer: Elsevier Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Book Description

Quantum theory is the most successful of all physical theories: it has a towering mathematical structure, a vast range of accurate predictions, and technological applications. Its interpretation, however, is as unsettled now as in the heroic days of Einstein and Bohr.

This book focuses on quantum non-locality, the curious quantum correlations between spatially separated systems. Quantum non-locality was one subject of the debates between Einstein, Bohr and others such as Schrödinger. The topic was revived in the 1960s as a result of Bell's epoch-making theorems; since then it has been a very active research field, both theoretically and experimentally.

This book contains twenty new papers by eminent researchers, who report recent developments in both the physics of the subject and its philosophy. The physics topics covered include quantum information, the unsharp (positive-operator) approach to observables, the state-space approach, and the pilot-wave theory. The philosophy papers include precise studies of Bohr's reply to the original Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen non-locality paradox, and of non-locality's relation to causation, probability and modality.

Book Description

Which president killed a man?
Which president had just fathered an illegitimate child when he entered the White House?
Which first lady taught her husband how to read and write?
Which president broke his arm jumping out of a window to escape his mistress's husband?
Which president's daughter married another president's grandson?
Who was the only president to be preceded and succeeded by the same man?
Which president had a secret operation performed to remove a cancerous jaw?
Which president's last words were "My nourishment is palatable."

Written by a White House speechwriter who actually served five presidents, this irresistible collection of presidential trivia reveals the more colorful side of American history. Following a Q&A format and organized around 31 themes, Which President Killed a Man? will captivate trivia fans and history buffs of every political persuasion.

Answers:

Andrew Jackson
Warren Harding
Andrew Johnson's wife Eliza
Thomas Jefferson
Richard Nixon
Benjamin Harrison
Grover Cleveland
Millard Fillmore

Customer Reviews:

Very amusing.......2005-02-19

If you love presidential trivia you'll find this one to be very amusing. It not only satisfied my trivia yen but it actually gives the reader a pretty good biographical portrait of some of the more interesting presidents.

Lincoln was probably the most tragic president but did you know that he once offered to use cow dung in a duel? Did you know that his wife Mary went wild if another woman ever got too close to Abe? Did you know that he loved Macbeth and idolized George Washington?

Franklin Pierce has to be one of the top five most tragic figures in White House history. In one day he lost his young son, his wife's love and ended up on the road to alcoholism and a presidentcy that disappointed everyone.

Herbert Hoover was another sad figure. On paper his administration should have been an unflashy but dignified success. Despite his experience, intelligence and stamina he got hit with the Depression and was unfairly blamed for it.

And don't forget Woodrow Wilson. He's often presented as a plaster saint but ole Woodrow was far from that. He was loved by the ladies, made up obscene limericks and was a rip roaring, shameless racist.

The president who comes "alive" the most on these pages is Theodore Roosevelt. What a man! Cowboy, naturalist, cop, adventurer, statesmen, wit, and force of nature. After reading this book of trivia I decided to go find a good biography of TR.

Political bias in an innocent-sounding cover - be forewarned.......2003-03-16

Although I enjoyed the trivia in this book and learned a lot of tidbits, the longer I read, the more I was put off by the obvious political bias. It's subtle, but after awhile it becomes unmistakable. The Harding scandals, for instance, are characterized as follows: "Harding was personally honest but exploited by his business cronies." Rosalynn Carter, we are told, "wore an old dress to the inaugural" (she could have instead been characterized as "economical"). Nixon's scandals are never mentioned without an accompanying comment regarding the poor character traits of his Democratic foes. George W. Bush is called a "fine student," while we are told that Clinton "never earned a degree at Oxford" (he was not in fact on a degree-granting program). The author gives an account of Teddy Roosevelt's attitude toward muckraking that does not comport with what I have read by other historians. The instances of bias compile the longer you read; these are just a few of the numerous examples.

James Humes is a former speechwriter for Eisenhower, Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and the first Bush, so I suppose this bias is not surprising, and I personally have no problem with partisan argument per se. I'm an Independent voter so I have no particular axe to grind in either direction. What bothers me is that a clearly partisan stance is packaged in an apparently neutral and innocent, "fun" wrapper--"tantalizing trivia and fun facts." It's disingenious and deceitful. I believe readers deserve to know when they are getting something different than what is advertised. If Humes is trying to make a case for Republican "honesty" and superior values, it is ironic that he does so in a most dishonest manner.

Had I known there were so many "mini-sermons" embedded among the "tantalizing trivia," I would have saved my [money]. Good presidential trivia books abound, and most of them are marketed more honestly than this deceptive little volume. Truly irresponsible reporting and marketing. Mr. Humes, your prejudices are showing.

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5 Titles By Mccullough - Tim - Ladies of Missalonghi - An Indecent Obsession - A Creed for the Third Millennium - The First Man in Rome
Colleen McCullough
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000QIWYKK

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Multiple books shipped as one item. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.

5 Titles By Roosevelt - Murder in the Oval Office - Murder At the Palace - Murder and the First Lady - The President's Man - Murder in the Rose Garden

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5 Titles By Roosevelt - Murder in the Oval Office - Murder At the Palace - Murder and the First Lady - The President's Man - Murder in the Rose Garden
Elliott Roosevelt
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000RWY232

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Multiple books shipped as one item for your convenience. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.

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What a Hoot!
first man to be first lady
Incredible
Stereotypes and bad writing are all over the place.
Good story, but the book has many errors!

The First Man to be First Lady
Clarke Allan
Manufacturer: Infinity Publishing (PA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Customer Reviews:

What a Hoot!.......2007-08-27

I loved this book. It is sweet, funny and sad. I laughed, I cried. The perfect book. I couldn't put it down. I just wish I could find more from the same author.

first man to be first lady.......2004-06-21

for me I only read biography or autobiographies.I was introduced to this book by the author himself.This book to me is an inviting story about an unconditional love between two people.Iliked how the author discribed in detail the surounding places and people in the story,you can really get a clear image in your mind of how things looked in rooms,how the charactors dressed and the places they went.This book is a very enjoyable and uplifting book to read.I would recommend this book to all types of readers.

Incredible.......2004-05-04

I laughed, I cried, I cheered! This is a great book for a stormy Spring Time Night curled up in a good chair. I found the author had embraced "GAY" sterotypes with humor and good taste! It was a good laugh at myself and my attitudes towards others!

I am a community college instructor and I encourage my students to read this novel! It is a must read... many of my students reviews became positive towards alternative lifestyles... this book is now on sale in our campus book store and has become a favorite of many people including the theology department! This is incredible...

Stereotypes and bad writing are all over the place........2003-11-04

I read this book for a class and I can tell you that is seems to be written by somebody in high school. For example, about half of the paragraphs in the book start with the name "Clarke." This sort of uninventive writing is seen in many other ways throughout the book. The bad editing, as had been mentioned in other reviews for example. In addition, it seems to be based soley on stereotypes. I did not care to read about how important it was to have the White House redecorated. The characters are flat and the story is somewhat bogus at times. The sad part is, I think the idea for the novel is really great. I just do not know where this went wrong. So, if you want to be bored and/or offended, read this book. Otherwise save your money!

Good story, but the book has many errors!.......2002-07-09

I enjoyed this book, but the person who edited this book needs to be fired. There were far too many misspelled words, missing words, as well as names that kept changing. For instance, Clarke and the President were being interviewed by Mrs. Waters, then Mrs. Walters, and then Mrs. Waters again. That was only one instance, there were others.

Even with these errors, I did find the book very funny and enjoyable. This book will keep you hooked right from the moment that Michael Arthur Kent is sworn in as Vice President, then sworn in as President of the United States immediately after the former President resigns. He quickly stuns the world, and Clarke, when he introduces Clarke as his husband, the First Gentleman. The press will continue to refer to him as The First Man to be First Lady. The press and much of the American public are totally outraged by having a gay couple in the White House, but Clarke keeps them dazzled. He redecorates the White House with funds that were donated, so no one is able to complain about how much it is costing. He starts new fashion trends with the help of a designer, named Beverly Anderson. He does not pay for his clothes, but the designer gets loads of free advertisement. Everyone wants to dress like Clarke.

Towards the end of the book, the President and Clarke run for election. The President had been appointed, but desperately wanted to be elected President for another term. In the end, he does win the election and all seems wonderful again, but then tragedy strikes.

Product Description

6 Books in a very nice slipcover

Hancock: A Celebration: The Very Best of Hancock's Half Hour

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Hancock: A Celebration: The Very Best of Hancock's Half Hour
Simpson, Ray, Alan Galton
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download
ASIN: B0007PC53S

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