History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Has history been tampered with?.......2007-10-23

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RAZQNMXM4M9CL Has history been tampered with? Yes, it has! Did events and eras such as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Roman Empire , the Dark Ages, and the Renaissance, actually occur within a very different chronology from what we've been told? Yes, they certainly did!

The history of humankind is both drastically shorter and dramatically different than generally presumed.

Why is it so? On one hand, it was usual custom to justify the claims to title and land by age and ancestry, and on the other the court historians knew only too well how to please their masters. The so called universal classic world history is a pack of intricate lies for all events prior to the 16th century. World history as we learn it today was entirely fabricated in the 16th-18th centuries. It's likely that nobody told you before, but

there is not a single piece of firm written evidence or artefact that is reliably and independently dated prior to the 11th century.

Naturally, after what you've learned in school and university, you will not easily believe that the classical history of ancient Rome, Greece, Asia, Egypt, China, Japan, India, etc., is manifestly false.

You will point accusing finger to the pyramids in Egypt, to the Coliseum in Rome and Great Wall of China etc., and claim, aren't they really ancient, thousands of years ancient? Well, there is no valid scientific proof that they are older than 1000 years!

The oldest original written document that can be reliably dated belongs to the 11th century!

New research asserts that Homo sapiens invented writing (including hieroglyphics) only 1000 years ago. Once invented, writing skills were immediately and irreversibly put to the use of ruling powers and science.

The consensual chronology we live with was essentially crafted in the 16th century by the Jesuits.

The world history was compiled from contradictory mix of innumerable copies of ancient Latin and Greek manuscripts and other irrefutable proofs delivered by late mediaeval astronomers that were cemented by the authority of writings of the Church Fathers.

Early in life, we learn about ancient history. Children love the magical lessons of history - they are like fairy tales. Teachers recite breathtaking stories; very soon We learn by heart the names and deeds of brave warriors, wise philosophers, fabulous pharaohs, cunning high priests and greedy scribes.

We learn of gigantic pyramids and sinister castles, kings and queens, dukes and barons, powerful heroes and beautiful ladies, emaciated saints and low-life traitors.

Ancient history is based documents, manuscripts, printed books, paintings, monuments and artefacts - called primary sources.

The problem is that neither these ancient documents, nor events described therein can be irrefutably dated, moreover they contradict each other for the most part.

When a school textbook tells us that Genghis Khan in year X or Alexander in year Y, have each conquered half of the world, it means only that it is so said in some of the written sources.

There are no answers to simple questions:

When were these primary sources written?

Where and by whom were these sources found?

It is wrongly presumed that ancient and medieval chronicles, written by Genghis Khan's or Alexander the Great contemporaries and eyewitnesses, are readily available. Actually, only sources written hundreds or even thousands of years after the events are there, compiled mostly in the 16th 18th centuries, or even later.

As a rule, these sources suffered considerable multiple manipulations, falsifications and distortions by editing. At the same time,

innumerable originals of ancient documents under various pretexts were destroyed in Europe under various pretexts.

The names of persons and geographical sites often changed meaning and location during the course of the centuries.

Geographical locations became clearly defined on maps only with the advent of printing.

This made possible the circulation of identical copies of the same map for purposes of the military, navigation, education and governance tasks.

Historians from Oxford say: "hey, everybody knows that Julius Caesar lived in the first century B.C.

`Julius Caesar' statement is only a point of view as

there is simply no irrefutable documentary proof that Julius Caesar or any other great name of antiquity ever existed.

Better than that - extremely rare sources that can be reliably dated back to the 10th-14th centuries A D, do not show the polished picture of classical history.

They show a picture both contradictory and confusing.

All methods of dating of ancient sources and artefacts are erroneous:

Radio-carbon C14 method produces dating with exactitude of plus minus 1500 years, therefore it is too crude for dating of events in historical timeframe!

The Almagest tractate, which lies as corner stone contemporary chronology, compiled in the 2nd century A D by Ptolemy, the founding father of astronomy, contains astronomical data of 9th to 16th century!

The Bronze Age,that has supposedly began 5000 years ago. Bronze is made of 90% copper and 10% tin, but the technology for tin extraction dates back to 14th century A D!.

All eclipses contained in manuscripts, like Thucydides one, relating 'ancient' events have exclusively medieval dating. All horoscopes cut in stone or painted in Egyptian temples, like Dendera have exclusively early medieval dating solutions.

Not quite what you have learned in school? Open your eyes, and, you will find sufficient proof to reach step by step the inevitable conclusion that the classical chronology is false and therefore, that the history of ancient and medieval world universally accepted today, is also false. Have a fresh outlook on everything said or printed about "ancient" and "enigmatic" Roman, Greek and Egyptian, medieval as well as all other "lost and found" civilizations.

Antiquity and Dark Ages are phantoms invented in the 16th 18th and polished in 19th 20thcenturies. Human civilization is in fact barely 1000 years old!

This book will change your perception of History forever!
What if Ancient Rome, Greece and Egypt were invented during Renaissance?
What if The Old Testament was a rendition of events of the Middle Ages?
What if Jesus Christ was born in 1053 and crucified in 1086 AD?
Sounds Unbelievable?
Not after you've read "History: Fiction or Science?" by Anatoly Fomenko, the genius mathematician.
Armed with astronomy and computers Anatoly Fomenko turns History into a rocket science.

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

Theory of Games and Economic Behavior (Commemorative Edition) (Princeton Classic Editions)

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An Obvious Classic But . . .
Landmark work but heavy going

Theory of Games and Economic Behavior (Commemorative Edition) (Princeton Classic Editions)
John von Neumann , and Oskar Morgenstern
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0691130612

Book Description

This is the classic work upon which modern-day game theory is based. What began more than sixty years ago as a modest proposal that a mathematician and an economist write a short paper together blossomed, in 1944, when Princeton University Press published Theory of Games and Economic Behavior. In it, John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern conceived a groundbreaking mathematical theory of economic and social organization, based on a theory of games of strategy. Not only would this revolutionize economics, but the entirely new field of scientific inquiry it yielded--game theory--has since been widely used to analyze a host of real-world phenomena from arms races to optimal policy choices of presidential candidates, from vaccination policy to major league baseball salary negotiations. And it is today established throughout both the social sciences and a wide range of other sciences.

This sixtieth anniversary edition includes not only the original text but also an introduction by Harold Kuhn, an afterword by Ariel Rubinstein, and reviews and articles on the book that appeared at the time of its original publication in the New York Times, tthe American Economic Review, and a variety of other publications. Together, these writings provide readers a matchless opportunity to more fully appreciate a work whose influence will yet resound for generations to come.

Customer Reviews:

An Obvious Classic But . . ........2002-10-23

Let me start out by acknowledging that this is THE BOOK that started Game Theory as it exists today. While Bayesian statistics are an obvious precursor, everyone agrees that von Neumann's and Morgenstern's work was ground breaking.

That said, this is not the best written Game Theory text out there. Like all seminal works, it suffers from the basic fact that we've learned a lot of new things since the time it was written. Many people have gone on to build and expand on the insights contained in this book, especially in the area of bargaining and cooperative game theory.

This is a very impressive book to keep on your shelf, and the discussion of poker and the role of bluffing is very interesting, but, owing largely to the 60+ years that have passed since its initial publication, it's not the best reference work or study material available.

Another word of warning: The review below is correct that the level of math that you must understand to fully appreciate this book is quite substantial. This book is more for the mathematically sophisticated who want to develop an appreciation for the origins of game theory.

Landmark work but heavy going.......2000-08-23

I'm not even sure I'm qualified to pass judgement on this book, but what I understand, I give 5 stars without hesitation. The authors discuss almost every class of game (2-person, 3-person, zero-sum, non-zero-sum, etc.) and even a very simplified version of poker.

Book Description

Classics in Game Theory assembles in one sourcebook the basic contributions to the field that followed on the publication of Theory of Games and Economic Behavior by John von Neumann and Oskar Morgenstern (Princeton, 1944). The theory of games, first given a rigorous formulation by von Neumann in a in 1928, is a subfield of mathematics and economics that models situations in which individuals compete and cooperate with each other. In the "heroic era" of research that began in the late 1940s, the foundations of the current theory were laid; it is these fundamental contributions that are collected in this volume. In the last fifteen years, game theory has become the dominant model in economic theory and has made significant contributions to political science, biology, and international security studies. The central role of game theory in economic theory was recognized by the award of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science in 1994 to the pioneering game theorists John C. Harsanyi, John Nash, and Reinhard Selten. The fundamental works for which they were honored are all included in this volume.

Harold Kuhn, himself a major contributor to game theory for his reformulation of extensive games, has chosen eighteen essays that constitute the core of game theory as it exists today. Drawn from a variety of sources, they will be an invaluable tool for researchers in game theory and for a broad group of students of economics, political science, and biology.

Customer Reviews:

more for specialists.......2002-12-06

I love this book -- but this is what I do. I doubt someone looking to learn game theory on their own is going to find this of any interest. Any serious student of game theory should find it very useful.

A classic.......2000-04-01

This book takes you through the land that Von Neumann, in my opinion, created. There is no way any game theorist or game theory novice can appreciate the lenghts to which the field has expanded, without first understanding its roots. It contains the actual report, where Nash defined what is now the basis for all game theory, the Nash equilibrium! That is true excitement

Convex Analysis and Variational Problems (Classics in Applied Mathematics)

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Convex Analysis and Variational Problems (Classics in Applied Mathematics)
Ivar Ekeland , and Roger Témam
Manufacturer: Society for Industrial Mathematics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0898714508

Book Description

No one working in duality should be without a copy of Convex Analysis and Variational Problems. This book contains different developments of infinite dimensional convex programming in the context of convex analysis, including duality, minmax and Lagrangians, and convexification of nonconvex optimization problems in the calculus of variations (infinite dimension). It also includes the theory of convex duality applied to partial differential equations; no other reference presents this in a systematic way. The minmax theorems contained in this book have many useful applications, in particular the robust control of partial differential equations in finite time horizon. First published in English in 1976, this SIAM Classics in Applied Mathematics edition contains the original text along with a new preface and some additional references.

Dynamic Noncooperative Game Theory (Classics in Applied Mathematics)

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Dynamic Noncooperative Game Theory (Classics in Applied Mathematics)
Tamer Basar , and Geert Jan Olsder
Manufacturer: Society for Industrial Mathematics
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ASIN: 089871429X

Book Description

Recent interest in biological games and mathematical finance make this classic 1982 text a necessity once again. Unlike other books in the field, this text provides an overview of the analysis of dynamic/differential zero-sum and nonzero-sum games and simultaneously stresses the role of different information patterns. The first edition was fully revised in 1995, adding new topics such as randomized strategies, finite games with integrated decisions, and refinements of Nash equilibrium. Readers can now look forward to even more recent results in this unabridged, revised SIAM Classics edition. Topics covered include static and dynamic noncooperative game theory, with an emphasis on the interplay between dynamic information patterns and structural properties of several different types of equilibria; Nash and Stackelberg solution concepts; multi-act games; Braess paradox; differential games; the relationship between the existence of solutions of Riccati equations and the existence of Nash equilibrium solutions; and infinite-horizon differential games.

Thinking Goes to School: Piaget's Theory in Practice

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Beyond Vision Therapy

Thinking Goes to School: Piaget's Theory in Practice
Hans G. Furth , and Harry Wachs
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 019501927X

Book Description

Proposes to show how children can be prepared to develop their full potential as 'thinking' human beings. The activities or 'games' described provide a general foundation which should help the child to deal successfully with specific academic subjects. With Additional Thoughts.

Customer Reviews:

Beyond Vision Therapy.......2000-05-04

Excellent reading for those interested in learning more than the basic techniques of vision therapy. Some prior knowledge in psychology and the visual system is helpful, but anyone can learn from and enjoy this book.

Optimization and Nonsmooth Analysis (Classics in Applied Mathematics)

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A classical of Mathematics

Optimization and Nonsmooth Analysis (Classics in Applied Mathematics)
Frank H. Clarke
Manufacturer: Society for Industrial Mathematics
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Binding: Paperback

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Nonsmooth Analysis and Control Theory (Graduate Texts in Mathematics)

ASIN: 0898712564

Book Description

Mathematical Reviews said of this book that it was ‘destined to become a classical reference.’ This book has appeared in Russian translation and has been praised both for its lively exposition and its fundamental contributions. The author first develops a general theory of nonsmooth analysis and geometry which, together with a set of associated techniques, has had a profound effect on several branches of analysis and optimization. Clarke then applies these methods to obtain a powerful, unified approach to the analysis of problems in optimal control and mathematical programming. Examples are drawn from economics, engineering, mathematical physics, and various branches of analysis in this reprint volume.

Customer Reviews:

A classical of Mathematics .......2007-03-09

It is written in a very comprehensive manner. Even a non-mathematician application oriented person can comprehend it.
The book is a reference book without diminishing importance.

Notes on the Theory of Choice (Underground Classics in Economics)

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Kreps can't deal with the empirical(experimental) evidence
Start thinking with a decision-theorist mind
Useful, concise, requires some background
Terrific
a splendid book

Notes on the Theory of Choice (Underground Classics in Economics)
David M. Kreps
Manufacturer: Westview Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0813375533

Book Description

In these notes, Professor Kreps surveys the standard models of choice under uncertainty that lie at the heart of microeconomic theory. Choice and preference, ordinal utility, von Neumann-Morganstern utility and utility functions for money, and subjective probability and subjective expected utility are among the standard topics covered. These notes provide a rigorous but accessible introduction to the theory of choice for mathematically inclined undergraduates and/or graduate students in economics, finance, and related disciplines.

Customer Reviews:

Kreps can't deal with the empirical(experimental) evidence.......2004-11-24

Kreps has written an updated version of Savage's The Foundations of Statistics(1954).Like Savage,he is unable to deal with what Savage called vagueness,what Ellsberg called ambiguity and what John Maynard Keynes called uncertainty in the General Theory(1936)and weight of the evidence in the A Treatise on Probability(1921)in chapters 6 and 26 .Keynes defined an index to measure the extent of the vagueness,ambiguity,uncertainty or weight of the evidence upon which the probability estimates, calculated by the decision maker ,would be based.Letting w equal the weight of the evidence(or the vagueness,ambiguity or uncertainty of the evidence),0<=w<=1.A w=o means that the decision maker is dealing with a situation of ignorance.A w between 0 and 1(0<w<1) means that the decision maker is dealing with partial ignorance.A w=1 means that the decision maker is dealing with situations of risk,where the probabilities are further assumed to be precise,unique,exact single numbers.They can't be nonadditive(subproportional or superproportional).Kreps spends the first 13 chapters dealing with a purely mathematical construction that can only deal with the case of w=1(or rho=1 in the Ellsberg approach or the degree of evidential support=1 in the 1994-1996 Tversky approach).He then spends a total of 7 pages covering the massive amount of empirical and experimental evidence which points to the conclusion that his theoretical,axiomatic approach is a special ,limiting case that has ,practically,little or no real world application.Any reader of this review who is interested in a theoretical decision rule that deals with all of the empirical evidence briefly covered by Kreps(Allais paradox,Ellsberg paradox,certainty effect,reflection effect,translation effect,and the preference reversal effect)is advised to carefully study Keynes's conventional coefficient of risk and weight ,c.The goal of the decision maker is to maximize cA,where c=p(1/1+q)[2w/(1+w)]and A is the outcome.Risk aversion is dealt with by the decision weight(1/1+q)and not by conflating diminishing marginal utility with risk aversion.Kreps needs to rearrange the ordering of his chapters,putting the last chapter first.This would allow a potential reader to decide whether he wants to allocate his limited,finite time to reading a book that has very limited application.

Start thinking with a decision-theorist mind.......2004-03-27

The book seems harmless at the beginning with the mathematical proofs of some binary relations, which require a little bit of logic - and very careful writing down, if you have to turn in the problems as homework. But it gets more and more challenging - and pushes you to use some Real Analysis and Probability Theory concepts to really master the issues presented. This is not a reference book, nor a traditional textbook: it is a collection of lectures on economics of decision. The Von Neumann Morgernstern model is developed in all its magnitude, going further than any game theory textbook. You start to feel the 3 axioms and the numerical representation as second nature! But then, the Aumann/Anscombe and Savage models are introduced, as well as the limitations of the perfect VNM model. Everything you've learned seems to fall apart.
The problem sets are mainly excursions, in the very Kreps' style (if you have read his Course on Microeconomic Theory, you know what half a page problem without any equation is). In general, you don't need economics to get a good grip of the content: it is decision theory, not micro theory. Engineers and mathematicians will love it - and some economists will find it too tough!

Useful, concise, requires some background.......2001-02-28

I think this book certainly deserves its good reputation as a primer on the variations and developments of utility theory. It must be noted that the book requires a fair amount of mathematical background that students coming to choice theory from non-economic backgrounds might not have. The book may be almost inscrutable if you are not ready to think mathematically about choice an aren't familiar with mathematic-decision speak. To that reader, I would refer you to a book called "Thinking and Deciding" by Jonathan Baron and/or the Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making by Scott Plous. For a reader with a psychology background such as myself, those were much gentler introductions, although the material in this book is worth mastering if you want to do serious work in the field of decision making research.

Terrific.......2001-01-15

A terrific book. If you want a comprehensible introduction to decision theory which includes all the most important stuff (von Neumann-Morgenstern, Savage, Anscombe-Aumann), look no further. You will not find anything else even close.

a splendid book.......2000-03-25

I have read this book more than 10 times since I came across it. Every time I read this book, I find something new. This book is based on lecture notes on axiomatic choice theory presented by David Kreps(the author) at the Stanford University. If you want to major in economics, in particular, choice theory, this book will enable you to access this area very easily.

Of Literature and Knowledge: Explorations in Narrative Thought Experiments, Evolution, and Game Theory

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Why read fiction?
Comment from reader

Of Literature and Knowledge: Explorations in Narrative Thought Experiments, Evolution, and Game Theory
Peter Swirski
Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0415420601

Book Description

Framed by the theory of evolution, this colorful and engaging volume presents a new understanding of the mechanisms by which we transfer information from narrative make-believe to real life. Ranging across game theory and philosophy of science, as well as poetics and aesthetics, Peter Swirski explains how literary fictions perform as a systematic tool of enquiry, driven by thought experiments. Crucially, he argues for a continuum between the cognitive tools employed by scientists, philosophers and scholars or writers of fiction.

The result is a provocative study of our talent and propensity for creating imaginary worlds, different from the world we know yet invaluable to our understanding of it. Of Literature and Knowledge is a noteworthy challenge to contemporary critical theory, arguing that by bridging the gap between literature and science we might not only reinvigorate literary studies but, above all, further our understanding of literature.

Customer Reviews:

Why read fiction?.......2007-08-10

When we read a novel what do we stand to gain? Enjoyment? In many cases yes, but is there more to it than the aesthetical value? Why do people love to tell and hear stories so much? If you are interested to learn more about the role of stories in our lives then this book has some surprising answers. The author methodically examines the role of fiction in our search for knowledge. He introduces us to the modelling properties of stories, showing the surprising similarities between literature and mathematics. He demonstrates that many stories have the properties of though experiments not different from those used in philosophy or the natural sciences.
Swirski brings his case methodologically, examining both mechanisms and possible outcomes. To do this he draws from a multitude of sources that are as diverse as the aim of the book is interdisciplinary, underlining the generality of the concepts presented. He draws on evolution to explain how it can be that we gain knowledge from though models, and methodologically analyses and rebuts the arguments against their use. He demonstrates the principles using examples from famous works as well as from everyday life. The breadth of examples used is in itself a good reason to read this book as most people - be they students of literature or of the natural sciences - will find much that was unknown to them and even more that is presented in a new and surprising context. The language is easy enough to follow even for readers new to the field (I am myself a scientist, though I love literature) and often gripping or humorous like that of a good novel. At times it is also passionate, e.g. when the author attacks practices in literary research that he considers being misleading.
While the book will be especially useful for students and teachers of literature, its interdisciplinary message means that it will be interesting to people of a variety of backgrounds. Indeed this is part of the message of the book, as the author changes our perception of literature. Swirski firmly places literature back on a continuum with the other disciplines, including mathematics, philosophy and science, in the pursuit for knowledge and in doing so he changes the reader's perception of literature profoundly.

Comment from reader.......2007-05-14

I need to explain that my background in mainly in the social sciences,
although I read widely in literature and have recently been involved in an interdisciplinary program called Literature, Science, Society. This is also why I was attracted to buy this book, and, having read it in one evening, I am amazed that such an original, wide ranging and colorfully written book has not yet been the subject of a dozen reviews. You can gauge the quality of this extraordinary little volume by the editorial reviews. The first is by E.O.Wilson, one of the greatest scientists of our times (and controversial too), and the other from Joseph Carroll who, as far as I can tell, is the best critic in the field called literary/evolutionary studies. Both extol the virtues of Swirski's book
and, to my mind, both are right to do so.
A few words about the structure of this book. After the introduction
which, in readability, humor, and clarity of analysis sets the tone for the other 180 pages, come 5 chapters. Chapter 1 "Literature and Knowledge" contains a detailed review of the state of literary research, or, as Swirski makes painfully clear, what goes under the name of literary research. Chapter Two "Literature and Modelling" outlines with the unexpected homologies between literature and mathematics. Chapter 3 "Literature and Evolution" is a model of how interdisciplinary analysis ought to be done: it will certainly form the backbone of the courses I teach. Chapter 4 "Literature and Thought Experiments" is in many
ways the linchpin of the book. It covers the many ways in which fiction
behaves like a thought experiment and it also reviews and rebuts the standard criticisms of counterfactual thinking. Chapter 6 "Literature and Game Theory" I found the most challenging but also the most interesting in its application of the matrix tools of the theory of games to literature.
All in all I warmly recommend this book to all teachers of literature
and the social sciences and I agree with Professor Carroll that for energy, passion, and the ability to explain difficult concepts in a clear and often funny way, the book has few equals.

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in depth look at TCG history and production

The Crying Game (Bfi Modern Classics)
Jane Giles
Manufacturer: British Film Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0851705561

Book Description

Jane Gile's study of The Crying Game traces the origins of the film in Neil Jordan's early, award-winning books and films. Drawing on exclusive interviews with Jordan and producer Stephen Wolley, Giles details the film's tense and troubled production history and anatomizes the different permutations of sexuality and politics that it unravels.

Customer Reviews:

in depth look at TCG history and production.......2005-10-05

This gives a very detailed look into director Neil Jordan's artistic background. Apparently the love triangle is 1 of his favorite themes to explore. It includes invaluable information: the producer's desperate ploys to get funding, Miramax's brilliant marketing plan and critical and popular reaction in the US and UK.

The only gripe I have is it glossed over Dil, Col the bartender and MacGuire. It's too short at 80 pages. I feel that a full size book (250 pages) could have easily been written about this unique movie. BUY THIS NOW :)

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