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EDITORIAL INFORMATION

One of the world's most prominent and controversial science writers, Clifford A. Pickover is the author of such popular books as Chaos in Wonderland, Keys to Infinity and Mazes for the Mind. Now, building on his previously acclaimed work, Pickover explores the hitherto forbidden area where science and religion, mathematics and mysticism intersect. In a style which is playful and entertaining, yet serious, Pickover challenges us to look at some of the most fundamental questions of human existence in new and thought-provoking ways. THE LOOM OF GOD: Mathematical Tapestries at the Edge of Time looks at the latest advances in computers and mathematics, as well as ancient religions, to see where these seemingly contradictory disciplines actually support and reinforce each other.

THE LOOM OF GOD goes beyond traditionally accepted boundaries of science and faith to explore: The many ways scientists and mathematicians today are harnessing the
extraordinary power of computers to probe some of mankind's deepest, profoundest mysteries; the strange and fascinating cult of Pythagoras, the legendary Greek mathematician who also fancied himself a prophet of sorts; the fascinating implications of some of the most famous theories and equations in higher mathematics: can God be explained in numerical terms?; ancient mysteries and paradoxes left behind by civilizations around the globe: Incan quipus; Stonehenge; Biblical numerology, and Kabbalism; mathematical predictions and proofs of the End of the World.

Omni Magazine calls Clifford A. Pickover "van Leewenhoek's 20th-Century equivalent." True to the spirit of a renaissance thinker, THE LOOM OF GOD is illustrated not only with numerous charts and diagrams, but also Pickover's beautiful and fascinating fractal imagery, created with his state-of-the-art original computer programs: one stunning example appears in full color on the cover of the book. Sure to generate controversy and stimulate discussion, THE LOOM OF GOD is Clifford A. Pickover's most sophisticated and entertaining attempt yet to take mankind where we have never been before.

CLIFFORD A. PICKOVER is the highly acclaimed author of such popular books as Black Holes: A Thaveler's Guide, Keys to Infinity and Chaos in Wonderland. Pickover is a contributor to Discover Magazine and numerous other consumer publications, and serves as editor for a number of scientific journals. His work has been featured in publications including the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Scientific American, among others. A Research Staff Member at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Pickover resides in the New York metropolitan area.

(Extracted from the dust jacket)

GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS

-Contents.

-Introduction.

-1. Are Numbers Gods?

-2. The End of the World.

-3. Pentagonal Numbers.

-4. Doomsday: Friday, 13 November, A.D. 2026.

-5. 666,666, Gnomons, and Oblong Numbers.

-6. St. Augustine Numbers.

-7. Perfection.

-8. Turks and Christians.

-9. The Ars Magna of Ramon Lull.

-10. Death Stars, a Prelude to August 21, 2126.

-11. Stonehenge.

-12. Urantia and 5,342,482,377,666.

-13. Fractals and God.

-14. Behold the Fractal Quipu.

-15. The Eye of God.

-16. Number Caves.

-17. Numerical Gargoyles.

-18. Astronomical Computers in Canchal de Mahoma.

-19. Kabala.

-20. Mathematical Proofs of God's Existence.

-21. Eschaton Now.

-22. Epilogue.

-Postcript 1. Goedel's Mathematical Proof of the Existence of God.

-Postcript 2. Mathematicians Who Where Religious.

-Postcript 3. Some Mind-Boggling Terminology.

-Author's Musings.

-Smorgasboard for Computer Junkies.

-Notes.

-References.

-Index.

-About the Author.