[HM] A threaded history of mathematics

Don Allen (Don.Allen@math.tamu.edu)
Thu, 27 May 1999 05:27:46 -0500 (CDT)

Dear Colleagues,

I have taught a graduate course in the History of Mathematics
many times, and one of my favorite approaches to teaching it
could be called "threaded." By this I mean, I begin with a
fundamental topic, like primes or the Euclidean axioms, and trace
it from ancient times to the present, showing along the thread
the powerful methods developed for specific purposes.

For example, I can begin with Pythagorean triples and wind up in
the 20th century with Fermat's Theorem resolved.

Students seem to like this.

I am inquiring if there is a general history of mathematics, in
print and suitable as a text, written in this style.

Thanks,
Don Allen

G. Donald Allen
Department of Mathematics
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-3368
Phone:(voice) 409/845-7950 Fax 409/845-6028
e-mail: dallen@math.tamu.edu
URL: http://www.math.tamu.edu/~dallen/