Overview

From the mysterious cult of Pythagoras and the awesome mechanics of Stonehenge to the 'gargoyles' and fractals on today's computers, mathematics has always been a powerful, even divine force in the world. In a lively, intelligent synthesis of maths, mysticism and science fiction, Clifford Pickover explains the eternal magic of numbers. Taking a uniquely humorous approach, he appoints the reader 'Chief Historian' of an intergalactic museum who must travel, along with a quirky cast of characters, hurtling through the ages to explore how individuals used numbers for such purposes as predicting the end of the world, finding love and winning wars.

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9781402764004

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Reviews

Are there mathematical proofs of God? Who are the great mathematicians who believed in a deity? Does numerology lead anywhere when applied to sacred literature? Pickover covers these and many other off-trail topics with his usual verve, humor, and clarity. And along the way the reader will learn a great deal of serious mathematics. --Martin Gardner, author of The Book of Visual Illusions Pickover has done it again, with a marvelously entertaining, historical romp through the unexpected connections between mathematics and mysticism. --Paul Hoffman, Discover magazine Clifford A. Pickover leads readers on a dazzling, lushly illustrated tour of the intersection of number and the numinous. -- Publishers Weekly

Author Information

"Clifford A. Pickover graduated with a PhD in Biophysics and Biochemistry. He has written dozens of books and hundreds of articles and for many years was the lead columnist for Discover magazine's ""Brain-Boggler."" Currently, he writes the ""Brain Strain"" column for Odyssey, is associate editor for the scientific journal Computers and Graphics and serves on the editorial board for Odyssey, Leonardo and YLEM."

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