A mathematician draws on scientific findings about the role of symmetry in understanding the dynamic relationship between objects, exploring such topics as the theory of fundamental particles, the role of symmetry in evolutionary biology, and the discovery of an enormous dimensional space snowflake. ++ Symmetry is all around us. Of fundamental significance to the way we interpret the world, this unique, pervasive phenomenon indicates a dynamic relationship between objects. Combining a rich historical narrative with his own personal journey as a mathematician, Marcus du Sautoy takes a unique look into the mathematical mind as he explores deep conjectures about symmetry and brings us face-to-face with the oddball mathematicians, both past and present, who have battled to understand symmetry's elusive qualities.

Originally published: HarperCollins, 2008. "First published in Great Britain as Finding Moonshine in 2008 by Fourth Estate"--T.p. verso.