About “Chaos”

The million-copy New York Times bestseller and finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award that reveals the science behind chaos theory A work of popular science in the tradition of Stephen Hawking and Carl Sagan, this 20th-anniversary edition of James Gleick’s groundbreaking bestseller Chaos introduces a whole new readership to chaos theory, one of the most significant waves of scientific knowledge in our time. From Edward Lorenz’s discovery of the Butterfly Effect, to Mitchell Feigenbaum’s calculation of a universal constant, to Benoit Mandelbrot’s concept of fractals, which created a new geometry of nature, Gleick’s engaging narrative focuses on the key figures whose genius converged to chart an innovative direction for science. In Chaos, Gleick makes the story of chaos theory not only fascinating but also accessible to beginners, and opens our eyes to a surprising new view of the universe. (Description courtesy of Penguin Random House.)

Praise for “Chaos”

“Fascinating . . . almost every paragraph contains a jolt.”

— The New York Times

“Taut and exciting . . . a fascinating illustration of how the pattern of science changes.”

— The New York Times Book Review

“Highly entertaining . . . a startling look at newly discovered universal laws.”

— Chicago Tribune

Book details

Published
1987
Latest edition
1987 · ISBN 9780143113454
ISBN
9780143113454

Frequently asked questions

How many pages is Chaos?

Chaos by James Gleick has 360 pages.

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Book descriptions, author biographies, award records and review quotes on this page are courtesy of Penguin Random House.