Ian Stewart, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick, recently the AAAS Award for Public Understanding of Science. He published over 60 books, including "The Science of Discworld" and "Does God Play Dice?" Britian's priemere science journal "Nature" calls Flatterland “a superb sequel” to Flatland (book 49).

Flatterland basically takes over where Flatland left off. It is also a novel, with two main characters: Vikki Line from "Flatland" (granddaughter of A. Square) and a critter called the Space Hopper, who has a VUE (Virtual Unreality Engine) to help them explore the “Mathiverse.” One reviewer says: “In the tradition of Alice in Wonderland and The Phantom Toll Booth, this magnificent investigation into the nature of reality is destined to become a modern classic.” A second says: “Flatland challenged the familiar conception of three dimensions; Flatterland challenges the familiar conception of dimension itself.” A third says it “brings to life the mind-bending world of cutting-edge math and alternative universes.” Flatterland explores our present understanding of the shape and origins of our universe, the nature of space, time and matter, as well as modern geometries and their applications.

Beginning with the third dimension, it expands to simple non-Euclidean geometries (various fun curved topologies), then into higher dimensions and non-integer dimensions – the Fractal Forest. The first 2/3 – geometry and topology – was especially interesting to me. The last 1/3 deals with physics that I am more familiar with, beginning with The Paradox Twins (of relativity fame), gravitationally-curved space-time effects, black and white (or anti-black) holes, the space-time wormholes of Steven Hawking (here called the Hawk King) and how they could be used to build a non-self-contradictory Time Machine – this is really neat, but it takes some concentration to follow the Space Hopper’s explanation here. Ian Stewart then turns to the microscopic world of physics: quantum physics, the four basic forces, and 10-dimensional String Theory as our current best attempt to unify gravity with the other three basic forces of physics into a Theory of Everything. Flatterland is definitely harder to comprehend than Flatland, but it is ultimately more rewarding – if you are inclined to further s t r e t c h your mind!