the world of mathematics, a monumental four-volume reference 15 years in the making, was specially designed to make mathematics more accessible to the layman. it comprises nontechnical essays on every aspect of the subject, including articles by and about scores of eminent mathematicians, as well as literary figures, economists, biologists, and many other thinkers. this unique compendium includes the work of archimedes, galileo, descartes, newton, gregor mendel, edmund halley, jonathan swift, john maynard keynes, henri poincare, lewis carroll, george boole, bertrand russell, alfred north whitehead, john von neumann, and many others. in addition, an informative commentary by noted mathematics scholar james r. newman precedes each essay or group of essays, explaining their relevance and context in the history and development of mathematics. 　　volume 1 (parts i-iv) includes a general survey of the nature of mathematics; historical and biographical information on prominent mathematicians throughout history; material on arithmetic, numbers, and the art of counting; and the mathematics of space and motion. individual essays include "gauss, the prince of mathematicians," by eric temple bell; "calculating prodigies," by w. w. rouse ball; "the seven bridges of konigsburg," by leonhard euler; and more than 30 others. 　　vol. 2 of a monumental 4-volume set covers mathematics and the physical world, mathematics and social science, and the laws of chance, with non-technical essays by and about scores of eminent mathematicians, economists, scientists, and others. individual articles by galileo galilei, gregor mendel, thomas robert malthus, and many more. includes numerous figures. 　　volume 3 (parts viii-xvii) contains essays on such topics as statistics and the design of experiments, group theory, the mathematics of infinity, the unreasonableness of mathematics, the vocabulary of mathematics, and mathematics as an art. the essays gathered here include "the law of large numbers," by jacob bernoulli; "the vice of gambling and the virtue of insurance," by george bernard shaw; "mathematics and the metaphysicians," by bertrand russell; and 30 more. 　　vol. 4 of a monumental 4-volume set covers such topics as mathematical machines, mathematics in warfare, a mathematical theory of art, mathematics of the good, mathematics in literature, mathematics and music, and amusements, puzzles, and fancies. individual contributions by a. m. turing, aldous huxley, sir james jeans, lewis carroll, and other notables.