Customer Reviews
Fantastically in-depth, whilst still light enough to enjoy reading if you don't understand it all! - By: T. Gregory, 13 Oct 2008 
I have to admit that this book was sitting on my bookshelf for a while before I started reading it. In fact, I think it was about three years (I hadn't heard of the book's reputation, & so wasn't aware that I shouldn't have been intimidated). Once I got going, however, it was immensely enjoyable. The book covers a wide range of topics (number theory, art, consciousness & so on...), all of which are beautifully intertwined, as the title suggests. Some of the maths is pretty heavy going, I can't claim to have fully understood it on a single read, & I didn't do as the book suggested & worked through some of the examples (which would undoubtedly have made later ideas easier to understand), but even so, there is so much elsein the book that it really doesn't matter. Different chapters tend to deal with different themes, so maths doesn't enter them all, & all are preceded by a dialogue which sets up the theme & keeps the mood light. These are beautifully crafted, with many hidden meanings, and, once again, probably require several reads to spot all the layers of meaning (however, a single read will illuminate several of these). The dialogues are so well-written,in fact, that they really kept me reading, as I was determined to plow through some of the heavier stuff to get to the next one.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book & look forward to coming back to it at some pointin the future to see what else I can get out of it.
This will make you think - By: BillyM, 29 Aug 2008 
Like no other book I've read before, Godel, Escher, Bach really made me think. An incredibly clever author, dealing with hard to explain issues (- consciousness & identity primarily), Hofstadter still manages to keep the reader interested & entertained (mostly) throughout. Having said that, it's not an easy read or a relaxing read- I felt like I'd been put through a gruelling mental workout after most chapters. But... no pain, no gain I suppose, as the rewards are well worth itin the end.
Engaging and mind bending - By: Theis Egeberg, 30 Dec 2007 Even though it is old, it still holds all its qualities intact. To me it is the bible of everything that begins with "meta". It hovers elegantly around so many subjects & still ties them together into self-reference & I doubt anyone can help but be charmed. The challenges are put forwardin such a playful manner that only the crankiest stickin the stickiest mud could not help but swaying their way. But be warned - it does take an effort - & all other books will feel both easy, shallow and... well... literally light by comparison.
A great intro to some profound mathematics - By: Matthew Ives, 01 Aug 2007 I read this when it was published backin '79 & it helped inspire me to more fully understand the massive achievments of Kurt Godel & his quite astonishing incompletness theorem.
For the casual reader, this is a wonderful book that will inspire you & give you a glimpse into the unsettling world of axiomatic set theory & it's uncany relationship to the music of Bach & the artistry of Esher.
Do buy this edition! - By: Mr. G. Sexton, 19 Jun 2007 A wonderful book well worth reading.
I feel obliged to note that, contrary to a previous review, the book supplied to me had not lost '...the aesthetic appeal the previous editions had'. In fact, the paper quality was not '...really bad', but rather good, & the pages were certainly not '...almost transparent'. The book's size is very similar to a previous edition I have encountered & the margins are not smaller than they should be. I really cannot find fault with this edition of the book & strongly recommend that you buy a copy.
