M. B. W. Tent - Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. The Polymath Who Brought Us Calculus [2011][A]

Book Description
Publication Date: October 17, 2011
Suitable for middle school age readers, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz focuses on the life and accomplishments of one of the most influential mathematicians and philosophers. Using Leibniz’s written works and translations as well as fictional dialogues, the book traces Leibniz’s life from his early years as a young boy and student to his later work as a court historian. It explores his contributions to the world of calculus; his inventions, including the mechanical calculator; and his role as a philosopher and proponent of rational, algorithmic thinking.

Reviews
The reader gets a good impression of Leibniz's life and ideas.—Charlotte Wahl, Zentralblatt MATH 1234

This book permits us to place in our mind many of Leibniz’s important contributions at the right place and time where they occurred … absolutely indispensable to initiate teenagers … written in a very vivid style, the book under review is very commendable.—Marcel Guillaume, Mathematical Reviews, 2012h

… fun to read, and the book is instructive. Tent knows what she’s talking about. … A fun book to take on holiday.—Rudi Penne and Paul Levrie, WeetLogs.SciLogs.be, April 2012

The life of Gottfried Leibniz, philosopher, theologian, mathematician, devisor of mechanical computers—in short, a universal genius—is presented in this work with sympathy and understanding. An informative read for teenagers and beyond.—Philip J. Davis, coauthor of The Mathematical Experience