Conquer Maths dread! Unveiling the Beauty and Power of Mathematics

Dive into a forgotten classic by physicist Felix Auerbach.

  • Unleash the Power Within
  • See Maths in a New Light
  • A Forgotten Treasure Rediscovered
Pre-order your copy today!
Pre-order your copy today!
  • Unleash the Power Within
  • See Maths in a New Light
  • A Forgotten Treasure Rediscovered

The Recipe on How to Conquer Maths Dread Still Works After a Century of Being Published

A Scientist's Perspective - Unveiling the Importance of Maths

A Lost Treasure Unearthed - English Translation from German

The Perfect Maths Companion:
5 Reasons Why This Book Belongs on Your Shelf

There are many resources available on overcoming maths dread, but “Fear of Mathematics” by Felix Auerbach offers a unique and powerful perspective

1

Ageless Insights for Today’s Learners

“Fear of Mathematics” transcends its time, offering invaluable insights that are as useful today as they were a hundred years ago. This book provides priceless advice and explanations useful for everybody. Its lasting relevance ensures that readers can continue to benefit from Auerbach’s wisdom, making it a must-have resource for anyone eager to deepen their understanding of mathematics.

2

See Maths Through a Scientist’s Eyes

Physicist Felix Auerbach doesn’t just teach you how to do math, he unveils its magic. Go beyond memorizing formulas and equations. Discover the inherent beauty and power of mathematics as a language that unlocks the secrets of the universe.

3

A Timeless Classic Rediscovered

Originally written in 1924, “Fear of Mathematics” offers surprisingly relevant insights. This is not just another self-help book on anxiety. It’s a forgotten gem, meticulously translated into English for the first time, offering timeless wisdom for a modern audience.

4

Engaging for Everyone

Whether you’re an educator looking for fresh perspectives or someone who simply wants to appreciate maths in a new light, “Fear of Mathematics” is written in a clear and engaging style. No prior maths expertise is required to grasp the core concepts and Auerbach’s captivating insights.

5

Unveil the Beauty of Mathematics

This book cultivates a genuine appreciation for the elegance and power of mathematics, not just as a tool for calculations, but as a universal language, a rigorous science, and a poetic art. It opens the door to intellectual discovery and wonder, encouraging readers to see maths as a way to explore the world’s structures and patterns. “Fear of Mathematics” invites you to rethink your relationship with mathematics, unveiling its beauty and relevance beyond formulas and equations.

Felix Auerbach (1856-1933)

Felix Auerbach was a brilliant physicist whose life story is as fascinating as his love on mathematics. Born in what is now Poland, Auerbach’s intellectual curiosity took him through Heidelberg and Wroclaw, to the University of Berlin, where he earned his doctorate at the young age of 20. His scientific achievements were diverse. He made significant contributions to the fields of hydrodynamics, acoustics, and the study of magnetism. He was also a prolific writer, authoring numerous scientific papers and textbooks.

Felix and his spouse Anna Auerbach were passionate about music, literature, and the visual arts, and were key supporters of Jena’s art scene, often hosting esteemed artists. They co-founded the Jena Artists Association and supported the Weimar Bauhaus. In 1924, Walter Gropius designed their Jena residence, known as the Auerbach House, which served as a cultural hub until 1933. One notable outcome was Edvard Edvard Munch’s 1906 portrait of Felix, initially displayed in their home. The portrait traveled to the United States before WWII, stayed with Auerbach’s niece, was loaned to the Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1971 to 1980, and now resides in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

Tragically, Auerbach’s life was cut short in 1933 under circumstances tied to the rise of fascism in Europe. Despite this, his legacy as a scientist and advocate for mathematical understanding continues to inspire.

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Expert quotes

I can’t help but wonder if the placement of ‘M’ as the fourth letter of STEM subtly reinforces the perception that mathematics is simply utilitarian and devoid of human richness and inherent philosophical beauty. There is Science, Technology, and Engineering –oh, and a tag-along fourth entity to provide the arithmetic and algorithms to support these three. Why should humans be drawn to a subject that is so often presented as devoid of human artistry, creativity, and expression unto itself? Auerbach, writing from another era and a foreign cultural context of a century ago, contends with the very same question, showing that this issue is persistent and not unique to our culture, our politics, our human inclusivity, and our time of today. And that is fascinating. So, the question remains, despite the temporal span: how can we combine efforts to help society overcome its deep-seated fear of mathematics once and for all?
James TantonThe Global Maths Project
James Tanton
How fascinating to read a work that seems at times so modern in outlook, and at others offers a glimpse into the mathematical and scientific world of the 1920s. Auerbach's idea for overcoming fear (which we recognise as ‘maths dread’) is teaching that starts with the nature and purposes of mathematics. The result is an enjoyable journey through mathematics as science, language and art, with some entertaining imaginary dialogues with children in the process of mathematical discovery, and a little cookery along the way!
Dr Peter RowlettSheffield Hallam University
Dr Peter Rowlett
At the heart of the fear of mathematics, says Auerbach, is a misunderstanding of what mathematics is. The fear of messing up a calculation may be real, but arithmetic, or, as we’d probably call it now, numeracy, is not in itself mathematics. You may need arithmetic to do mathematics, he says, but the fact that there are many excellent mathematicians who are terrible at arithmetic proves that they are different skills.
Sarah HartGresham Professor of Geometry Professor Emerita of Mathematics, Birkbeck College (University of London)
Sarah Hart
Publishing a translation of this century-old book now is an intriguing and, as it turns out, very timely undertaking. Obviously, we, as a society, as cultures and classes in the Anglosphere, need to work on our maths skills. This is more than a matter of test scores for our students. It is more than a matter of financial literacy or even career preparation for our children. Technology intertwines nowadays with the fabric of our everyday lives more than Auerbach could ever have foreseen, and advances in genetics, in climate science and in digital communications (think "alternative facts" and "fake news"), just to name three such fields, present us daily with grave ethical, moral, and political questions. So, the logic and precision of mathematical thinking stands us all in good stead, if we will just accept it, as at least part of the procedure for clarifying and explaining our problems
John K. Cox(History, North Dakota State University)
John K. Cox
Previous
Next
I can’t help but wonder if the placement of ‘M’ as the fourth letter of STEM subtly reinforces the perception that mathematics is simply utilitarian and devoid of human richness and inherent philosophical beauty. There is Science, Technology, and Engineering –oh, and a tag-along fourth entity to provide the arithmetic and algorithms to support these three. Why should humans be drawn to a subject that is so often presented as devoid of human artistry, creativity, and expression unto itself? Auerbach, writing from another era and a foreign cultural context of a century ago, contends with the very same question, showing that this issue is persistent and not unique to our culture, our politics, our human inclusivity, and our time of today. And that is fascinating. So, the question remains, despite the temporal span: how can we combine efforts to help society overcome its deep-seated fear of mathematics once and for all?
James Tanton
James TantonThe Global Maths Project
How fascinating to read a work that seems at times so modern in outlook, and at others offers a glimpse into the mathematical and scientific world of the 1920s. Auerbach's idea for overcoming fear (which we recognise as ‘maths dread’) is teaching that starts with the nature and purposes of mathematics. The result is an enjoyable journey through mathematics as science, language and art, with some entertaining imaginary dialogues with children in the process of mathematical discovery, and a little cookery along the way!
Dr Peter Rowlett
Dr Peter RowlettSheffield Hallam University
At the heart of the fear of mathematics, says Auerbach, is a misunderstanding of what mathematics is. The fear of messing up a calculation may be real, but arithmetic, or, as we’d probably call it now, numeracy, is not in itself mathematics. You may need arithmetic to do mathematics, he says, but the fact that there are many excellent mathematicians who are terrible at arithmetic proves that they are different skills.
Sarah Hart
Sarah HartGresham Professor of Geometry Professor Emerita of Mathematics, Birkbeck College (University of London)
Publishing a translation of this century-old book now is an intriguing and, as it turns out, very timely undertaking. Obviously, we, as a society, as cultures and classes in the Anglosphere, need to work on our maths skills. This is more than a matter of test scores for our students. It is more than a matter of financial literacy or even career preparation for our children. Technology intertwines nowadays with the fabric of our everyday lives more than Auerbach could ever have foreseen, and advances in genetics, in climate science and in digital communications (think "alternative facts" and "fake news"), just to name three such fields, present us daily with grave ethical, moral, and political questions. So, the logic and precision of mathematical thinking stands us all in good stead, if we will just accept it, as at least part of the procedure for clarifying and explaining our problems
John K. Cox
John K. Cox(History, North Dakota State University)
Previous
Next

Fear of Mathematics, and How to Overcome It

By physicist Felix Auerbach

“Fear of Mathematics” by Felix Auerbach offers a surprisingly relevant take on overcoming maths dread, written a century ago by a renowned physicist. This timeless classic unveils a fresh perspective on maths, helping you:

  • Author: Felix Auerbach
  • Format: 15cm x 21cm
  • Number of pages: 104
  • Language: English
  • Binding: Paperback
  • Year of publication: 2024
  • Uncover the inherent beauty and wonder of mathematics.
  • Move beyond formulas and see maths as a powerful language.
  • Develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the subject.

€15.00

(without shipping)

If you would like to order the book, feel free to contact us below.

Pre-order your copy today!

The Recipe on How to Conquer Maths Dread Still Works After a Century of Being Published

Rediscover a forgotten gem! "Fear of Mathematics" offers a surprisingly relevant take on overcoming maths dread, written a century ago by physicist Felix Auerbach.

A Scientist's Perspective - Unveiling the Importance of Maths

Go beyond formulas! Gain a fresh perspective on maths from physicist Felix Auerbach. His insights unveil the inherent beauty and power of mathematics.

A Lost Treasure Unearthed - English Translation from German

A rare find! Originally written in German, this unique English translation brings Felix Auerbach's classic work to a new audience for the first time.

Dive Deeper into the World of "Fear of Mathematics"

About the Author

Felix Auerbach was a renowned physicist whose scientific achievements left a lasting impact. Written a century ago, "Fear of Mathematics" reflects his unique perspective on the beauty and power of mathematics within the scientific world.

The Translation Journey

Initially penned in German in 1924, Felix Auerbach's book first reached an international audience with its Serbian translation in 1926. It then journeyed to Portuguese in 1937, followed by a second edition in 1943. A second German edition was published in 1967, but no other translations have emerged since. In a nod to its enduring relevance, the Serbian edition was reprinted in 2019. In 2024, this timeless work was finally translated into English for the first time, straight from the original, ready to inspire a new generation.

The Legacy of Archimedes

The prestigious Serbian Mathematical Society "Archimedes" played a pivotal role in initiating the English translation project. Their dedication to preserving mathematical knowledge ensures this classic text reaches a new generation.

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Your Questions - Answered

How can I purchase the German, Serbian, or Portuguese editions of The Fear of Mathematics?

To find the German, Serbian, and Portuguese editions of The Fear of Mathematics, you can explore several online bookstores and libraries. The Serbian edition, reprinted in 2019, is available from the Mathematical Society “Archimedes.” For the German editions, including the 1967 reprint, check German bookstores or online retailers such as Booklooker. For the Portuguese editions, visit CustoJusto or other specialized rare book sellers. Note: Availability of older editions may vary, so you may need to check multiple sources or reach out to sellers directly.

Renovated in 1995 to its original design, the Auerbach House is now privately owned and open for tours upon agreement with the owners.

More Than Just Overcoming Anxiety

“Fear of Mathematics” goes beyond simply reducing anxiety. It aims to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for maths, opening doors to a world of wonder and intellectual discovery.

Pre-order your copy today!
Pre-order your copy today!
Fear of Mathematics, and How to Overcome It

By physicist Felix Auerbach

€15.00

(without shipping)


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