Table of Contents

Preface Introduction Combinatorics: Contemplating Variations of the 23 Letter Topology and Cosmology: The Universe (Which Others Call the Library) Information Theory: Cataloging the Collection Geometry and Graph Theory: Ambiguity and Access Real Analysis: The Book of Sand More Combinatorics: Disorderings into Order A Homomorphism: Structure into Meaning Critical Points Openings Acknowledgements Appendix I-The Logos of Logarithms Appendix II-Flat-Out Disoriented Appendix III-Peeling the 3-Sphere Appendix IV-A Labyrinth, not a Maze Appendix V-An Example of the Ars Combinatoria Bibliography

About the Author

William Goldbloom Bloch is Professor of Mathematics at Wheaton College.

Reviews

"Mr. Bloch, professor of mathematics at Wheaton College, has woven an elegant, ingenious, scholarly interpretation of Borges's text that contradicts the disingenuous 'unimaginable' of his title."--New York Sun "For the reader of Borges, some of Bloch's observations may offer a useful new way of engaging with the themes of the fiction." -- American Scientist "You need no advanced mathematics to understand 'The Library of Babel' but chances are good that if you like the story, you'll enjoy Professor Bloch's excursions." -- Mathematical Association of America Review "Given Borges' well-known affection for mathematics, this exploration of the story through the eyes of a humanistic mathematician makes a unique and important contribution to the body of Borgesian criticism. Bloch not only illuminates one of the great short stories of modern literature, but also exposes the reader - including those more inclined to the literary world - to many intriguing and entrancing mathematical ideas."--Mathematical Reviews