Condensation of Determinants by Lewis Carroll
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Let's be clear from the start: this is not a novel. If you're hoping for a hidden sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, you'll be disappointed. 'Condensation of Determinants' is exactly what it says on the tin: a short, technical treatise by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) on a specific method in algebra. There's no plot in the traditional sense. The 'story' is the intellectual journey of solving a problem—how to simplify and calculate large determinants more efficiently.
Why You Should Read It
So why would a book blogger even mention this? Because it's fascinating as a portrait of the author. Reading this is like finding the secret diary of a famous artist, only to discover it's filled with detailed notes on plumbing. It shows the other half of Carroll's mind: the precise, logical, Oxford mathematician. Seeing the creator of the Mad Hatter and the Jabberwocky meticulously work through dry equations creates a kind of delightful cognitive dissonance. It reminds you that wonder and logic aren't opposites; in Carroll, they were two sides of the same brilliant coin.
Final Verdict
This is a super niche read. It's perfect for Carroll completists, history of math enthusiasts, or anyone who loves seeing the unexpected sides of famous minds. For the general reader, it's less a 'read' and more of a curious artifact—a five-minute dip into a world so far from Wonderland it circles back to being magical in its own way. Don't buy it for the narrative. Buy it for the strange thrill of holding the two halves of Lewis Carroll's brain in your hands.
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Dorothy Martin
1 month agoNot bad at all.
Jessica King
1 month agoGreat read!
Betty Garcia
9 months agoA must-have for anyone studying this subject.
Margaret Thomas
1 month agoThis book was worth my time since the flow of the text seems very fluid. This story will stay with me.
Margaret Smith
7 months agoBeautifully written.