'Everyone interested in geometric dissections, and this kind of puzzles,
either mathematically or recreationally will embrace this publication.
But also the readers interested in the history and certainly those who
became curious about this mystery man and his manuscript, after reading
Fredericksonâ (TM)s 2006 book, will be fully satisfied with this
respectful reproduction eventually made available for a general
public.'European Mathematical SocietyA geometric dissection is a cutting
of a geometric figure (such as a regular polygon, or a star, or a cross)
into pieces that we can rearrange to form another geometric figure. The
best dissections are beautiful and possess economy (few pieces),
symmetry, or hingeability. They are often challenging to discover.Ernest
Irving Freese was an architect who lived and worked in Los Angeles until
his death in 1957. Shortly before he passed away, he completed a
200-page manuscript on geometric dissection, the first book-length
treatment on that subject. Freese included elegant drawings of
dissections that were both original and clever. After his death the
manuscript lay forgotten in his former house until Greg Frederickson set
in motion its recovery in 2003. What a treat that it was
rescued!Frederickson's book sketches a history of geometric dissections
and a biography of Freese, followed by a refurbished copy of Freese's
manuscript interleaved with a commentary that highlights Freese's major
contributions as well as singular improvements made by Frederickson and
others after Freese.This book introduces Freese and his creations to
math puzzle enthusiasts, by way of his engaging manuscript, his wild
adventures, and his lovely dissections. Frederickson also includes
remarkable designs that improve on Freese's work, and packs this book
with nifty illustrations and tidbits that may well leave you speechless!
