I read that "Chaos" book back in college during a very slow summer of working security. As an artist with a passing interest in math and computers I found it a very interesting read. If you haven't, and are really curious about why people are facinated by them you should give it a try.

After the book detailed the math side of fractals to me, it made them all the more interesting. The book also explores some of the politics involved around the "discovery" of them...