August Möbius was one of the nineteenth century's most influential mathematicians and astronomers. Written by six distinguished contributors, this book explores the work of Möbius and his fellow-German scholars, in particular the achievements which act as a mirror for the work being undertaken by his contemporaries around the world.

1. A Saxon mathematician ; 2. The German mathematical community ; 3. The astronomical revolution ; 4. Mobius's geometrical mechanics ; 5. The development of topology ; 6. Mobius's modern legacy ; References ; Notes on contributors ; Picture credits ; Index

'The book is written for a quite general readership ... Generously priced, it is unusually readable for books of its kind - and also viewable, being graced with many excellent portraits, scenes, and mathematical illustrations.' Times Higher Education Supplement '...the book looks good: it sports an attractive multicoloured jacket, and is well illustrated ... the book is a useful history of some aspects of German astronomy and mathematics in the nineteenth century, especially as seen in relation to modern advances. Desmond King-Hele, formerly deputy chief scientific officer at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough. Nature, Volume 363. 'In this richly illustrated, and accessible book, leading scholars assess the contribution of Möbius and others of his time to the practice of mathematics and astronomy today.' L'Enseignement Mathématique, 3-4 1993 'The book is an excellent combination of various, crucial aspects. The presentation of the book is overwhelming. The text is accompanied by many pictures of high and sometimes even singular quality and origin.' Mathematical Didactics `...l'ouvrage constitue un ensemble equilibre et agreable a lire, soigne dans la forme autant que dans le contenu.' La Recherche, No. 271, Decembre 1994 `the book is very attractively designed, with many pictures, and written in a lively style, suitable for mathematicians, students and an interested general readership, as well.' Monatsheffe fur Mathematik, vol.121, no.1-2, 1996.