This isn’t a review of Goedel Escher Bach (GEB) but a vivid recommendation for all polymaths/curious types.
The book not only details interesting life episodes of Kurt Goedel, M.C. Escher, and J.S. Bach, but also exposes the unifying framework of mathematics, art and music, while attempting to contextualize the “self” as a result of a strange loop.
Is “This sentence is false” true or false?
All chapters start with dialogues of Achilles and the tortoise and “What the Tortoise Said to Achilles“, so interwoven as to feature musical pieces, mathematical theories or art.
A truly brilliant book, as is “I am a strange loop”
Thanks a lot Andy for your feedback!
Ever since I read GEB, I have been a fan of Hofstadter. I also liked very much “I am Strange Loop.”
Another two articles I recommend are “Mind’s I” (a compendium of essays on different aspects of life he and Dennett co-edited) and “Metamagical Themas” (his essays that were previously published as a column in Scientific American).
Both are true gems.