A Beginner's Guide to Constructing the Universe: Mathematical Archetypes of Nature, Art, and Science Paperback – September 29, 1995

Best book ever!!!

I have bought a number of books on sacred geometry (Quadrivium , The Matrix of Creation , How the World is Made , Sacred Geometry , Patterns of Eternity ) looking for some profound answers but either they were caught up in the proof by mathematics or the sentimental wonder of the lovely symmetry or were showing their own niche discovery .They could all state what was going on but I think they lack the profound understanding of the big picture : the complex unity that is underwritten by the simplicity of parts .Schneider builds it from the base up collecting and connecting the logic of symmetry , philosophy of implication the understanding and wonder at the genius of the simple complexity of ordering and he doesn't confuse by laboring a point.Filled with examples from nature and geometry and history (architecture , iconography and symbolism ) and with succinct philosophical exactitude in text that illuminate ! He showed me in one sentence the significance of Fibonacci sequence .I have wasted a year chasing more pretentious , prettier books that lack the wisdom of this Guy .The text is also spiced with quotes & nuggets of history and sagacious analysis and humor . Brilliant !Also the comments made about the book having a religious overtone are true and a person should be cautions buying this book for a young person who has strong religious instincts or upbringing . The author obviously is Masonic or worse and views (and promotes) mathematics as god itself when it is really only one manifestation of the genius of our world.Still for those interested in history and culture and fundamental insights into how the world is ordered spatially this is an excellent read .

CONSTRUCTING THE UNIVERSE has been on the bookshelf for over a year, and it's really only now that I'm beginning to fully appreciate and process Schneider's masterpiece and its implications - or what could be called an Almanac of Discovery. Although not wanting to write a review until I had finished absorbing it completely, ultimately this work will never date as it's the kind of visual and text based product that provides a continual unfolding of yet deeper and deeper levels of understanding. Its not one of those books that is restricted to a single epiphany or message; I've noticed how it has changed and informed my view of nature's patterns, and geography, on various hiking trips through sacred space.Yet strangely, Schneider's work is also accessible and appealing to my kids, who have wholeheartedly taken up the challenge and tried to build temples with their crazy Dad; applying their maths and geometry lessons with patience as compasses, string and wooden pegs have been variously lost and dropped.I'm not into extremely complex and detailed sacred geometry; so this work is absolutely ideal for my needs; yet don't be fooled into thinking it's simply a beginner's piece either, for it most certainly is not. At 350 odd pages of diagrams, descriptions, tables and references to science, mythology, and ancient texts, CONSTRUCTING THE UNIVERSE provides a rich thematic mathematical and geometric approach to the world we live in. Highly recommended. Rgds

This book is really about sacred geometry and numbers. It is a masterpiece of exploration and insight and the best I have come across. It explains the basic geometric principles and allows us to fully comprehend them by guiding us through practical exercises.The book reveals the stunning secrets of creation based on patterns of geometry, the magnificent order and harmony in everything, and how everything in our universe is interconnected. It explains how nature applies these principles reflecting order and efficiency and it shows what is possible and not possible in the natural world based on mathematical and numerical patterns.We find application of theses principles in our psyche for instance in what we consider beautiful, and we use it in daily living without being aware, possibly even many artist use it subconsciously without being aware what makes them choose their designs.The information makes us marvel at the incredible coincidence of amiss numbers, of the coincidence of galactic dimensions and other numbers in the physical world, and the perplexing numbers hidden in sacred names.The author converts the subject from a philosophical theory about things to actual building blocks of existence, and takes the subject from esoteric principles to practical reality, and thereby, one could argue shows how reality is permeated by spirituality. He changes sacred geometry from matter of believe to a matter of facts.The book is a must for those interested in sacred geometry, but also for artists and even scientists who are interested in understanding the bigger patterns.Haran, author of '75 Lives of Haran - New Insights into Reincarnation'