Product Description

Two physicists prove that there are not just four ways to tie a tie, but a further 81. Tie Knots unravels the history of ties, the story of the discovery of the new knots and some very elegant mathematics in action. If Einstein had been left alone in Tie Rack for long enough perhaps he would have worked it out : why do people tie their ties in only 4 ways? And how many other possibilities are there? Two Cambridge University physicists, research fellows working from the Cavendish laboratories, have discovered via a recherche branch of mathematics - knot theory - that although only four knots are traditionally used in tying neck ties another 81 exist. This is the story of their discovery, of the history of neck ties and of the equations that express whether a tie is handsome or not. Of the 81 new knots, 6 are practical and elegant. We now have somewhere else to go after the Pratt, the Four-in-Hand, the Full and Half Windsor. Sartorial stylishness is wrapped effortlessly around popular mathematics. A concept developed to describe the movement of gas molecules - the notion of persistent walks around a triangular lattice - also describes the options for tie tying. Pure maths becomes pure fashion in a delightfully designed little package from Fourth Estate.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #236927 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Review
Instead of buying a tie for the man in your life this year, why not plump for this quirky little book? Two physicists (two bored physicists, perhaps) set their considerable combined mathematical acumen to the problem of how many ways you can tie a tie. Here, complete with diagrams and photographs, is the fruits of their labour. (Kirkus UK)

About the Author
Dr Thomas Fink (Half Windsor) is a research fellow in the Department of Physics who usually works on protein folding optimisation theory. Dr Yong Mao (New Variant 7,2) is a research fellow at the Department of Physics who usually works on polymers and colloids. They both wear ties.

Customer Reviews

Everything for the aspiring 'Dandy' in the modern day world!
This book is really different - probably because it's written by two professors who apply mathematics to the principles of tying a tie, but it makes for a refreshing read. An invaluable resource for the modern day gentleman, this book tells you which knot suits a cutaway collar, etc etc, but it also provides a fascinating insight into the history of the neck tie (and its predecessors.) An excellent Christmas gift for Dad, I give this book 5 stars for entertainment, and value for money.

Bizarre but very amusing
This book is absolutely bonkers but also very funny. I don't know if the authors intended it to be this way but it's a hoot. Perfect stocking filler!

A very interesting read!
Leave it to mathematics to discover new ways to express an art form. As a passionate collector of fine neckwear ( I own several hundred ties ), I was very interested to see what these boys came up with. In addition to the four styles I knew previously, I can now boast four more practical methods of tying my beloved cravates. This is a very good book for anyone who feel as Oscar Wilde did: "One should either wear a work of art or be a work of art". I highly recommend it!