A brief history of numbers and maths, from caveman time to the digital age.
Pythagoras theorem was known before Pythagoras' time.
Pascal's triangle was created before Pascal's time, and other bits.

Easy to read, too brief in most sections, but then I can research more details (if I can be bothered).


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I am uncomfortable with mathematics: it is the religion like certainty that the subject demands which I dislike. If I were to say that Graham Greene was a great writer, you could, legitimately, agree or disagree and, so long as your argument is based upon more than, "Oh no he isn't, you fool!", it is as significant as my opinion. On the other hand, were you to dispute a mathematical theory, you are, unquestionably wrong.

I, therefore, approached this book with some trepidation. I need not have worried, this is a very gentle introduction to the mysterious world of mathematics. A fair amount of the information was already known to me. This does not mean that I wasted my time reading it, the order and time scale of the main events, plus a decent amount of new facts, made this an enjoyable and educational read. My first thought upon picking up "From 0 to Infinity in 26 Centuries", was that I was impressed that Mr Waring felt able to tell the story in a mere185 pages. Whilst I am no expert (!), I think that he accomplished the task remarkably well. The book is a series of concise tales of the major events and protagonists. He also deserves great praise for leaving me feeling that I understood the principles involved.

This is not a book for the mathematics professor in your life, but it is a wonderful introduction for the younger enthusiast or, the uninitiated, such as myself. Thank you, Mr Waring, for easing my paranoia of all things mathematical! ( )