Autorentext

Professor Ian Stewart is the author of many popular science books. He is the mathematics consultant for New Scientist and a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Warwick. He was awarded the Michael Faraday Prize for furthering the public understanding of science, and in 2001 became a Fellow of the Royal Society.

Klappentext

Human creativity is in danger, and only the wizards of Discworld can save us.

Having created our world by accident, the wizards of Unseen University feel vaguely responsible for its safety. They previously intervened to keep evolution on track and ensure humanity's existance, but just when they thought Roundworld was saved, it's all gone wrong again.

As the Wizards of Unseen University continue to study Roundworld, they discover that something has gone wrong: Human civilisation is not living up to its potential. They're foolish, irrational and dull. Rincewind is sent to Elizabethan England to try to set things right and keep history on track. After landing in Elizabethan England, he discovers that a cabal of evil elves have been manipulating humanity by preying on their worst impluses and becomes entangled in magical events surrounding William Shakespeare that just might turn the tide and save humanity.

Bouncing between madcap adventure and scientific explanations of how culture, cognition and knowledge has evolved, this is a book is a joyous romp that reveals how storytelling is humanity's superpower, enabling understanding, cooperation and innovation as long we hold on to our powers of critical thinking and resist the allure of dogma and superstition.