'An extremely lucid and well-written account ... a stimulating and valuable addition to the literature of applied mathematics, with a good deal of the charm of eighteenth-century mathematics. It may well become a minor classic before very long.' George Weiss, Science 'Clearly and attractively written, but without any deviation from rigorous standards of mathematical proof ... the book should be well within the compass of an honours student in mathematics or theoretical physics, and they are most strongly urged to buy it and read it.' Science Progess