In a fascinating narrative, Eli Maor examines the role of infinity in mathematics and geometry and discusses its cultural impact on the arts and sciences. Maor shares with the reader the profound intellectual impact the infinite has exercised on the human mind--from the "horror infiniti" of the Greeks to the inspired works of art of Maurits C. Escher; from the exquisite ornamental designs of the Moslems, in which infinity plays a central role, to the saga of Giordano Bruno, whose belief in an infinite universe led to his tragic death at the hands of the Inquisition.

Above all, the book brings forth the mathematician's fascination with infinity--a fascination mingled with puzzlement. The Greeks found it hard to believe that an infinite progression of numbers may have a finite sum; and even today some simple questions about infinity--for example, questions about the prime numbers--remain unanswered.

The book is profusely illustrated, making it as pleasurable to glance through as to read. It features six rarely seen color prints by Escher related to infinity. For the scientist or artist, for the historian or educated layman, this is a marvelous trip through the history of the infinite.