A new copy with a bit of shelf-wear to the covers from less-than-optimal storage. Otherwise a quite nice edition with a sewn binding, thick spine (the book opens flat without problems) and bright, smooth, good-quality paper.

A volume containing original essays from quite diverse fields in mathematics is something of a rarity, especially if renowned scientists show the width of their discipline to the reader. This book is just such a rarity - a veritable gem. It was written to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the mathematical research institute at Oberwolfach. The articles span a range of topics from general reflections on the place of mathematics in contemporary culture to essays dealing with aspects of algebra, analysis, geometry, coding theory, scientific computing and topology. All essays are interrelated, proving the old rule that you can divide and still conquer. A book in which every mathematician or scientist interested in mathematics will find something to take their fancy.