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Truly, one of the most fascinating aspects of this puzzling world of polyhedral dissections is the strange counterpoint played by the duo of mathematics and aesthetics. Indeed, that is really what this book is all about. It seems that you can never consider one without the other. In fact, any reader who knows what the difference is between art and science, or can tell where one leaves off and the other begins, is way ahead of the author on that score. They both play the same haunting theme, and its echoes reverberate throughout Puzzledom like the proverbial horns of Elfland. To the Greeks, this elegant cosmic order was their fabled "music of the spheres." Perhaps this could be rephrased slightly to include the ubiquitous cube and the intriguing rhombic dodecahedron!
Whether one's main interest is in solving puzzles, collecting them, reading about them, or whatever, the reader is encouraged to try making at least a few of these models in the school or home workshop. In all likelihood, this will lead in turn to the ever more fascinating recreation of prospecting for new puzzle ideas. They lie scattered all about waiting to be uncovered, enjoyed, and shared with family and friends. It helps if you dig with the right tools. A few have been supplied in this book, but really the basic tools are imagination and curiosity. The essence of any creative endeavor is the fitting together of ideas into a harmonious whole, and the inspiration for that may come from almost anywhere.
Fig. 213
"Lift yourself with joy to the sublime stars" J. S. Bach
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