A.D. Alexandrov is considered by many to be the father of intrinsic geometry, second only to Gauss in surface theory. That appraisal stems primarily from this masterpiece--now available in its entirely for the first time since its 1948 publication in Russian.

Alexandrov's treatise begins with an outline of the basic concepts, definitions, and results relevant to intrinsic geometry. It reviews the general theory, then presents the requisite general theorems on rectifiable curves and curves of minimum length. Proof of some of the general properties of the intrinsic metric of convex surfaces...

One service mathematics has rendered the "Et moi, ...si j'a'ait su comment en revenir, human race. It has put common sense back je n'y scrais point alit: Jules Verne where it belongs, on the topmost shelf next to the dusty canister labcled 'discarded non- The series is divergent; therefore we may be sense'. Eric T. 8cl able to do something with it. O. Hcaviside Mathematics is a tool for thought. A highly necessary tool in a world where both feedback and non- linearities abound. Similarly, all kinds of parts of mathematics serve as tools for other parts and for other sciences. Applying a...