Customer Reviews

777 Mathematical Conversation Starters (Spectrum)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bought this book for the quotations and facts, and it does have these in abundance (with an excellent index and very funny illustrations). It's also surprisingly accessible and fun to read, especially for those who think they cannot understand or appreciate math. I would recommend this for anyone, but it would be an especially appreciated gift for writers, teachers, college students, consultants, in fact anyone who has to make presentations or interesting conversation. Also, considering the amount of research that went into this, and the volume of material (yes, there are 777 items, of varying length and complexity) it's quite a good value!

Being a mathematician, I love this book. But my father is
very far from being a mathematician, and he loves
this book too.

"777 Coversation Starters" by John de Pillis
is a definite winner!

A friend gave this to me. I am definitely not a math type, but it
is a great vacation companion. You can read it in bits and pieces
or from front to back in order of appearance. I, in turn, picked
up three copies to give out: a birthday gift, wedding (Yes! honey
mooners need something to talk about!), one for a friend going
on a cruise! It really is the perfect gift!

I was lucky enough to see a friend's copy...and after trying it out, I had to get my own copy. It has one-line quotes and concepts for everything. I could find out what my clients were interested in and impress them by quoting an expert in that area. Of course, I'd have to say I'm getting drinks for them and peek at the book while the bartender is filling the order. It has actually helped me make connections at business parties and give others the impression that I really know my stuff! Sometimes that client I'm trying to meet I get introduced to by somebody I've just "wow-ed". I'd really recommend this to anybody who might be in a situation where they have to keep the conversation going.

A wonderful book to read, to keep, and to give. I've bought 5 copies by now, each with an intention to keep for myself, each given as a gift to somebody (not necessarily a mathematician) after starting a conversation inspired by the book. About to buy another copy...

Strangely linked, in wild and sexy ways to mathematics, are jokes, observations, and topics I care about (surprise surprise)!!!

I found out how solid(?) the thinking is of certain, well-known intellectuals...compared to Humpty Dumpty.

I also found out about Alexander Graham Bell and his "fortunate blunder."

In addition, the book has Dave Barry's comments on the history of algebra which, I guarantee, you will not get in maths class.

And another thing...I found out about the Monty Hall problem through the world's best cartoon of it.

An absolutely jolly read!

I love this book. I've enjoyed sharing it with all my math friends and some of my anti-math friends as well. It does indeed start conversations!
The the book is formatted in a way that invites the most casual of readers to explore mathematical topics. It is full of fun. The author treats the subject in a light-hearted manner complete with cartoons. I am completely entertained.

Tons of original drawings. Nice to look at. Concepts very easy to understand. I'm no math guy, but found this book works for me. Sometimes you need something else besides sports to make conversations work. Alternative for when you try not to talk about yourself too much... makes you smart the easy way.

Took forever to come in mail, but worth the wait.
Great at making fun of that subject I hated in school. Good for ice breakers at parties, quotes for starting speeches, spice up your term papers... Great index makes this a great reference book. My favorite cartoon is on page 179 -- a lion looking at some sheep. The sheep says " Let's make it simple, OK? When you learn in your math class how we're in harmony with nature, that means you don't eat us!" It has topics like: Romance, Valentines, Innocence, Hair, Arrogance, Jay Leno is even quoted in here. On page 29, there is a cartoon of a woman choosing from several beaus. Looks like somebody I know!

All around a great book.

The idea of advanced mathematics in any form other than avoiding it being the topic of a cocktail party conversation strikes most people as being absurd. Yet, mathematics is the language that describes how the universe is constructed, so it certainly can serve as the initiation step in conversations about a great many topics. In keeping with the ambiguity of natural language, there are two interpretations of the title. The first is that the book contains 777 ways to start a conversation where the topic is mathematics, and the second is that they are 777 ways in which a conversation can be started using a mathematical topic. While most people would consider the first the correct one, I argue that to most highly literate persons, the second is the most accurate.
The author has chosen statements and basic facts that can be used to open conversations that could lead in many different directions, from the philosophical to the comical. Mathematical poetry such as limericks is also interspersed throughout, and some are very funny. The elements are placed in alphabetical order, although the key used to alphabetize some elements is open to broad interpretation. However, there is extensive cross-referencing and many original quotes are also included.
One of the most philosophical entries is the Albert Einstein quote, "How can it be that mathematics, being after all a product of human thought independent of experience, is so admirably adapted to the objects of reality?" When you consider how many times abstract mathematical ideas that were originally only theoretical have been applied to newly discovered physical phenomena, this becomes one of the most profound of thoughts. Contemplating the answer to this question involves philosophy, religion, psychology, sociology, natural science, history and mathematics. To many in the sciences, knowing mathematics is to know the mind of God.
I cannot wait to try some of these statements the next time I am in need of a mechanism to start a conversation. None involve difficult mathematics, so the domain of my trials can be broad, and it will be interesting to see if I can get a conversation to go in any direction other than entering the, "I was never good at math!" expressway.

Published in the recreational mathematics newsletter, reprinted with permission.