x+y
A Mathematician's Manifesto for Rethinking Gender
Published on 16. July 2020
Book
Hardback
272 pages
978-1-78816-040-7 (ISBN)
Description
One of NPR's Best Books of 2020
A New Scientist Don't Miss Pick
From imaginary numbers to the fourth dimension and beyond, mathematics has always been about imagining impossible things. In x+y, Eugenia Cheng draws on the insights of higher-dimensional mathematics to reveal a transformative new way of talking about the patriarchy, mansplaining and sexism: a way that empowers all of us to make the world a better place.
Using precise mathematical reasoning to uncover everything from the sexist assumptions that make society a harder place for women to live to the limitations of science and statistics in helping us understand the link between gender and society, Cheng's analysis replaces confusion with clarity, brings original thinking to well worn arguments - and provides a radical, illuminating and liberating new way of thinking about the world and women's place in it.
A New Scientist Don't Miss Pick
From imaginary numbers to the fourth dimension and beyond, mathematics has always been about imagining impossible things. In x+y, Eugenia Cheng draws on the insights of higher-dimensional mathematics to reveal a transformative new way of talking about the patriarchy, mansplaining and sexism: a way that empowers all of us to make the world a better place.
Using precise mathematical reasoning to uncover everything from the sexist assumptions that make society a harder place for women to live to the limitations of science and statistics in helping us understand the link between gender and society, Cheng's analysis replaces confusion with clarity, brings original thinking to well worn arguments - and provides a radical, illuminating and liberating new way of thinking about the world and women's place in it.
Reviews / Votes
A way of seeing this exhausting debate from a completely new angle ... bold and optimistic * Guardian * Compelling ... x+y provides useful new tools for change, for those - like me - involved in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. For those who are not yet involved, she sets out reasons to become so. And I'm a new fan of pure mathematics. Dr Cheng, can we be friends? * Nature * ... a fascinating, disarmingly accessible read and a wonderful example of what academics should in general do much more of * Irish Times * This book changed my life in the most beautiful way. Eugenia Cheng doesn't just explain why the way our society conceptualizes gender is all wrong - she proposes a new way of thinking about - and beyond - gender. Through accessible graphs and brilliant metaphor, Cheng pushes her readers instead to think about a person's behavior... Stunning. -- Rebecca Ramirez * NPR * Praise for The Art of Logic:'Mind-expanding ... a meaningful contribution to creating a better society as well as happier conversations and relationships * Guardian * With humour, grace, and a natural gift for making explanations seem fun, Eugenia Cheng has done it again. You'll think more clearly after reading this book -- Daniel Levitin, bestselling author of The Organised Mind & A Field Guide to Lies and Statistics Radical and liberating * Emerald Street * A perceptive analysis of logic and its limitations ... Cheng is successful not only in helping readers think more clearly, but in helping them understand why others sometimes appear to be illogical * Times Higher Education *
More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 144 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
440 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78816-040-7 (9781788160407)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Person
Eugenia Cheng is Scientist in Residence at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Honorary Visiting Fellow at City, University of London. A concert pianist, she also speaks French and Cantonese, and is the author of The Art of Logic, How to Bake Pi and Beyond Infinity, the last of which was shortlisted for the 2017 Royal Society Science Book Prize.