Name: Measuring the world
Rating: 3.7 (15 reviews)
ISBN: 9780375424465

Daniel Kehlmann

At the end of the eighteenth century, two young Germans set out to measure the world, as Alexander von Humboldt journeys to unexplored regions of the planet, and Carl Friedrich Gauss uses his mathematical skills to solve some of the greatest puzzles of his age.

Measuring the world

At the end of the eighteenth century, two young Germans set out to measure the world, as Prussian aristocrat Alexander von Humboldt embarks on an odyssey to some of the most remote, unexplored regions on the planet, and astronomer-mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss uses his mathematical skills to solve some of the greatest puzzles of his age. Reprint.

Measuring the World

Sarah Sammis

How does one measure the world? Daniel Kehlamnn's novel, Measuring the World offers diametrically opposed answers: one theoretical and one empirical. Representing the theory is mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss and representing the experimental is explorer Alexander von Humboldt.

Kehlmann alternates his narrative between Gauss's life and Humboldt's exploration of South America and into New Spain (modern day Mexico). Both men wish to describe the world as elegantly as possible. For Gauss that means mathematics at the cost of basic social skills. For Humboldt it means jumping in head first to make every measurement even at the risk of personal injury.

Humboldt and Gauss seem like an unlikely pair of protagonists for a historical novel but Kehlmann's dry wit makes it work. By focusing on these two eccentric men he paints a portrait of the Enlightenment. Other "celebrities" from the era that make cameo appearances include Immanuel Kant, Louis Daguerre and Thomas Jefferson.

i had to read this book for school and tbh it really was a pain to get through. it was so incredibly boring to me and on top of that had absolutely no relevant plot. i had to force myself to actually get through this, even tho it only had 300 pages. i really don't get how people can find this entertaining or call this a "literal masterpiece" which is how it's advertised. don't recommend.

kristin :)

Laura Mauler

Two self-absorbed men set out on individual scientific quests, one mathematical and one botanical/cartographical. They both accomplish scientific things, are rude and selfish as often as possible, and are always tedious. In fact, they come off as completely flat, unreal characters, a feeling that is heightened by the author's blunt and choppy writing style and the almost complete lack of dialog throughout the book.

The inability of Humboldt and Gauss to understand the people around them - and their complete interest in trying - made me completely uninterested in finding out what happens to them. Book tossed aside in supreme irritation.

Historical fiction with wit, and a beautiful language.

Stefan Pettersson

Measuring the World recreates the parallel but contrasting lives of two geniuses of the German Enlightenment - the naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt and the mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss. Towards the end of the 18th century, these two brilliant young Germans set out to measure the world. Humboldt, a Prussian aristocrat schooled for greatness, negotiates savannah and jungle, climbs the highest mountain then known to man, counts head lice on the heads of the natives, and explores every hole in the ground. Gauss, a man born in poverty who will be recognised as the greatest mathematician since Newton, does not even need to leave his home in Göttingen to know that space is curved. He can run prime numbers in his head, cannot imagine a life without women and yet jumps out of bed on his wedding night to jot down a mathematical formula. Measuring the World is a novel of rare charm and readability, distinguished by its sly humour and unforgettable characterization. It brings the two eccentric geniuses to life, their longings and their weaknesses, their balancing act between loneliness and love, absurdity and greatness, failure and success.

Robin Lee-Perrella

Heike Arning

Matteo

Hummel

Hanna Tillmanns 

Roel Vandenhoeck

Liz Dollmeyer

Bassel Katamish

Fabian

Nikolay Bachiyski

Margarete 

steffi

Measuring the World recreates the parallel but contrasting lives of two geniuses of the German Enlightenment - the naturalist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt and the mathematician and physicist Carl Friedrich Gauss. Towards the end of the 18th century, these two brilliant young Germans set out to measure the world. Humboldt, a Prussian aristocrat schooled for greatness, negotiates savannah and jungle, travels down the Orinoco, climbs the highest mountain known to man, counts head lice, and explores every hole in the ground. Gauss, a man born in poverty who will be recognized as the greatest mathematician since Newton, does not even need to leave his home in Göttingen to know that space is curved. He can run prime numbers in his head, cannot imagine a life without women and yet jumps out of bed on his wedding night to jot down a mathematical formula. Daniel Kehlmann has produced a novel of rare charm and readability, distinguished by its sly humour and unforgettable characterisation. The author's acute powers of observation and ability to write memorable dialogue shine through its every page. Measuring the World marks the UK debut of a distinctive and original voice in contemporary fiction.

Measuring the world

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