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Bloomsbury USA

Quadrivium: The Four Classical Liberal Arts of Number, Geometry, Music, & Cosmology (Wooden Books, 33)

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Description

A unique presentation of ancient knowledge; a glorious gift book in the Wooden Books series. The quadrivium-the classical curriculum-comprises the four liberal arts of number, geometry, music, and cosmology. It was studied from antiquity to the Renaissance as a way of glimpsing the nature of reality. Geometry is number in space; music is number in time; and cosmology expresses number in space and time. Number, music, and geometry are metaphysical truths: life across the universe investigates them; they foreshadow the physical sciences. Quadrivium is the first volume to bring together these four subjects in many hundreds of years. Composed of six successful titles in the Wooden Books series-Sacred Geometry, Sacred Number, Harmonograph, The Elements of Music, Platonic & Archimedean Solids, and A Little Book of Coincidence-it makes ancient wisdom and its astonishing interconnectedness accessible to us today. Beautifully produced in six different colors of ink, Quadrivium will appeal to anyone interested in mathematics, music, astronomy, and how the universe works. Wooden Books was founded in 1999 by designer John Martineau near Hay-on-Wye. The aim was to produce a beautiful series of recycled books based on the classical philosophies, arts and sciences. Using the Beatrix Potter formula of text facing picture pages, and old-styles fonts, along with hand-drawn illustrations and 19th century engravings, the books are designed not to date. Small but stuffed with information. Eco friendly and educational. Big ideas in a tiny space. There are over 1,000,000 Wooden Books now in print worldwide and growing. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury USA


Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2010


Edition ‏ : ‎ 64437th


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802778135


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 30


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.3 x 1.7 x 7.65 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #21,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #7 in Mathematics History #33 in Cosmology (Books) #52 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Wow. Just wow.
Format: Hardcover
Review Image by Sithra Sithra
Review Image by Sithra Sithra
This kicked open a hidden door to my understanding the Kabbalah/Tree of Life and astrology based on the unique numbers/harmonics produced through geometric figures formed by planetary movements. I cannot express how profound these insights have been-- literally life-changing since I cracked the book several days ago. The amount of information packed succinctly into this small tome must have been no small feat, especially considering that the author took on the tremendous task of limiting themselves to a single page of text for each bite-sized 'chapter' with an accompanying page of illustrations. The quality and the value of this book is truly incredible. You would need to look through dozens of books to locate all of the same information summarized here, not to mention its gorgeous illustrations and typeface. Definitely a book worth owning for the curious of mind, required reading for the esoteric savant. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2025 by Sithra Sithra
    • QUADRIVIUM: ANTHOLOGY OF SOME OF THE GREATEST WOODEN BOOKS
Format: Hardcover
I bought this book when it was released almost 11 yrs ago. IN SHORT: Quadrivium is about human intellect. How marvelously profound the world and universe is, especially through the mind's eye and creativity of our ancient forefathers. A BIT MORE INFO: (I'm not going to attempt to speak to nor about every subject or Wooden Book contained in this anthology. Just some thoughts. ) I have been studying sacred geometry, philosophy, comparative religion, and Eastern Philosophy (Kashmir Shaivism, tantra, four yoga, Vedanta, e.t.c) for over 30 years, and music theory for 40 years. I have all of the Wooden Books in this anthology (I preordered it when it was released not knowing it was an anthology of the majority of ingenius titles already offered by Wooden Books). An artist and musician by trade, before getting hit by a car and now virtually bedridden, I'm grateful for having access to most of Wooden Books greatest publications in this one anthology: Quadrivium. The cover design is magnificent. You can see what subjects will be discussed and taught from looking at the little symbols on the cover. Kudos to the art director. This is for serious seekers looking for the "secrets" of the universe-- actually, you'll find there are no secrets at all, simply shapes, fractals, vibrations (AUM), e.t.c, found within nature and art (obviously Fibonacci's Golden Mean); sounds (vibrations/ harmony/ micro tones), e.t.c., and what shape they take when studied and graphed, if you will. Quadrivium reveals the intellect of the men and women who discovered the "secrets" to this grand universe. The patterns. The simplicity within the grand scheme of things. There is peace within these patterns and shapes and discoveries. What looks like chaos is a well oiled machine, if you will. Quadrivium shows you this. The title says it all: it's a fantastic, in depth study of Quadrivium. Personally, after almost ten years, I use the singular publications more than this anthology. Not only because of size, but because each Wooden Book is a marvelous gem. Truly. A gift from each author. Simplistic and to the point. And the artwork and design of each small Wooden Book is as beautiful as the subjects being taught, studied, or showcased. Reading Quadrivium from front to back was a profound experience. There is a flow to everything; a pattern to nature that ancient man discovered-- from as far back as 5,000-8,000 BCE (Hindu mystics) to modern man. I have bought many artist, musician, and spiritual seekers, renunciates, agnostics, and atheists, this book. It truly is ecumenical. Science meets the ancient arts. The beauty of it is it showcases the brainpower and innate artistic, scientific, and musical genius of people from thousands of centuries ago. Although I study the works of ancient mystics from many cultures and time periods, I do enjoy how Wooden Books showcase, for example, Sacred Geometry not in mystic terms, but again, how man created some of the most beautiful architecture in history using only a straight edge, a most archaic compass, and a writing utensil. Think about this: from a point on a piece of paper, then horizontal line, several circles, triangles created from these circles and lines, and then a perfect square---without any form of measurements like inches and cm--- ancient philosophers/ thinkers/ architects created the Tree of Life and other sacred symbols, but they also used these simple drawings to create Notre Dame, the Great Pyramids, Gothic Architecture, Islamic Architecture. Pythagoras created a system of music. Quadrivium looks into the visual aspect of the this system, mapped out on paper based on vibrations, microtones, e.t.c. In all, Quadrivium is about human intellect. How marvelously profound the world and universe is, especially through the mind's eye and creativity of our ancient forefathers. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2020 by DLB
    • Must Have
Format: Hardcover
This is a must have & must read for anyone that enjoys learning & understanding things in a more complete way. That which was once a staple for ancient learning should be read by anyone looking to expand their knowledge.
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2025 by colton cave
    • Gold
Format: Hardcover
If you are interested in sacred geometry, numerology, the elements of music, or astrology, and especially if you are interested in the harmonic relationship between all these things, you will love this book. Even if you are just into math and sound, and want to know more about their philosophical roots, this is a great buy. It is a good compact, but thick size, with quality construction, and phenomenal illustrations. Wooden Books is a wonderful publisher, they seem to be very conscious of their environmental impact, and print on either fully recycled, or sustainably harvested materials. I have several of their smaller pocket books as well, and they are all little jewels chock full of great, on point nuggets of wisdom, and wonderful art that is relatively easy to understand and digest. I would recommend getting this book prior to any of the pocket books covering the same or similar subjects, as some of the pocket books are fully represented within the Quadrivium. I got the pocket books first, and then this one, to find much of the same information. I don't mind, though. It's nice to have the goods all in one bound copy. As a great lover and student of sacred geometry, I can't get enough of their books. Wooden Books is deft at bringing the mysteries to light. More, please! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2014 by Stephen Ross
    • Encyclopedia for the curious minds. Sturdy Hard Cover
Format: Hardcover
Encyclopedia of Mathematics, Music, and Cosmology for the curious minds. A good read.
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2025 by gothberry
    • It's a looker for sure, and kind of neat thing to leave laying around because people want to pick it up and talk about it.
Format: Hardcover
Review Image by Derek J. Schwalenberg Derek J. Schwalenberg
Usually I prefer Kindle books, but it is indeed a very pretty hardcover to have. The reading is not very indepth, so don't buy this thinking you are getting deep scholarly mathematical analysis. In fact, it's as another reviewer had put it rather well, more of a pretty coffee table book. It's also a great conversation piece, this book my friends pick it up and actually want to talk about math for a short spell so for that I love it. Despite it only just grazing the tops of these relations, don't get me wrong, I have learned quite a bit. Some of the connections are a bit of a stretch, so you have to take it with a grain of salt, but the geometery is great anyway. Also each page in this book has an elaborate graphic like this but it explains the relevance algebraically, geometrically, musically, and astronomically. It also explains some history behind it. I just hope I don't end up with synesthesia... It is worth the price just for the tables of information in the appendices alone anyway, not to mention it's beauty and what a great conversation piece it is. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2014 by Derek J. Schwalenberg Derek J. Schwalenberg
    • Excellent.
Format: Hardcover
Excellent book.
Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2025 by Marlone
    • Just what I need!
Format: Hardcover
This book covers just what I was looking for, (the platonic solids and sacred geometry) and so much more. The illustrations are clear and I'm looking forward to reading it cover to cover.
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2024 by Cr8vN8v

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