Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter

[Naveg]

I picked this book up about a week ago and started reading it. I can confidently say that it is the best book I have ever read. So far, it has been largely about logic and paradoxes, and their grounds in mathematics. However, the author says in his preface that the book becomes more philosophical and delves into the nature of consciousness and the idea of the "self." The book consists of alternating dialogues written in the spirit of Lewis Carrol (some of you may have read "What the Tortoise Said to Achilles") and chapters. The dialogues cleverly and subtly introduce the concepts that will be explained in the coming chapter. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the book is Hofstadter's incredible use of wordplay and the way he interacts with the reader. Before offering a solution to a problem he poses, he encourages you to try it first!

Has anyone else read this amazing work?

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0465026567/ref=pd_rvi_gw_2/702-6868223-1177643

[Naveg]

After reading a bunch of reviews of the book on amazon, and some slashdot comments (the book got a 12/10 review), it seems this book convinced a lot of people to go into computer science and AI back in the 80s.

http://slashdot.org/books/99/04/23/147248.shtml

[Brightguy]

I got it after xmas 05, right now I'm over half way through. To sum up my thoughts, I would say Hofstadster is obsessed with self-reference... the more tangled the better. Ultimately, in many ways the book itself is many of the things it talks about.

I've enjoyed the math parts the best, but if you're interested in reading more about consciousness and the "self", check out The Mind's I (co-authored by Hofstadster). It's a collection of articles from various sources and has something from GEB plus a chapter that got cut.

[Naveg]

True, he is definitely very passionate about his subject matter, but I think that only makes his writing more impacting. And that the book itself reflects the concepts it deals with (self-reference among them) is sheer genius to me.

The Mind's I is next on my list

[apomb]

$7.49 off Amazon.com!

I'm excited to read this book

[klopyrev]

Just downloaded a torrent of the book. Going to print it out and start reading it tomorrow!

Konstantin Lopyrev

[apomb]

oh c'mon man ... its under $10! why would you cheat yourself out of a real book experience like that?

[Naveg]

this book is definitely worth paying for....i know people who have read it so many times and have torn pages and such in the process. They gladly shell out for a new copy.

[klopyrev]

Hey, if I like it, maybe I'll buy it! I'm russian. If I can get something for free, why would I pay for it?

KL