Dynamics: The Geometry of Behavior: Part 1: Periodic Behavior 5th ed. Edition

When it comes to the treatment and exposition of Dynamics, there are books that favor complete mathematical abstraction and rigor, and then there are those that motivate the subject through various examples and diagrams (Strogatz). Well, forget that because this book is neither of those. In this sense, it is unique.Completely devoid of mathematical formulas, theorems, lemmas, and corollaries, it presents the difficult and incredibly rich field of dynamics in a completely visual and intuitive way. It starts where the subject did, with Newton and company, progressing to the modern theory of non-linear dynamics: chaos, fractals, bifurcations, and catastrophe theory.First comes the idea/problem. Then the model, and finally the resulting behavior as various parameters are varied. The presentation is visually compelling, but most importantly, highly effective. It really brings about a consolidation of theory and intuition that I've yet to encounter in books at this level.Those looking for the mathematical representation of the models used in the examples can resort to the appendix where not only the models are given but also their steady-states and the year in which said model was developed, and in which scientific paper. Badass!No rigorous mathematical foundation is needed to jump into this tome and get learned. But I would say that those with some basic training in ODEs and some multi-variable calculus would probably enjoy it the most.Note: if you're looking to purchase this book, be sure to buy the correct edition, as this book was released in 4 volumes: periodic behavior, chaotic behavior, global behavior, and bifurcation behavior. The cover that the top of the page is for the combined edition containing all four volumes.