Customer Reviews

The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first read this book in the original Portuguese many years ago, when I was still in grade school. Imagine my surprise when I found a copy in English! This is a truly marvelous book. It recounts the life of a humble, but wise sheep herder in ancient Arabia who through the power and beauty of mathematics and logic lives the greatest adventures.

It tackles in beautiful form some basic principles of mathematics, and teaches the reader the power of logical thinking. A book for all ages, highly recommended.

I've read The Man Who Counted some 30/35 years ago in its original Brazilian edition. My book has desappeared long ago, but I've never forgotten its content. Last year, while vacationing in Rio, I was browsing through a book store and came across with a new edition of Tahan's book, also in the Portuguese language. Coming back home, I checked on Amazon.com and was delighted to learn that an English version of the Man Who Counted was available. I ordered a copy and gave it to my 9 year old son, who loved the book, as much as I did when I was about his age. Malba Tahan presents practical mathematical problems and curiosities by telling the story of Beremiz Samir, a man who lived in the ancient Arabia, and who had an incredible ability for counting and calculating. Beremiz was a simple and humble man that utilized his mathematical skills with remarkable fairness and common sense. Traveling from his hometown of Samarra to the ancient Baghdad, Beremiz, on his way, helps merchands, family members and friends to settle their personal disputes about money, properties, etc... Beremiz's mathematical wisdom spreads rapidly through the region, and soon he is invited to the Royal Palace to give advise to sheiks and to the King himself. The arithmrtic and calculations in The Man Who Counted are based in real problems ecountered by Beremiz and the people he meets on his way. Along with the mathematical curiosities, Tahan also teaches valuable lessons of life, all presented in a narrative which makes you read this book as a novel, and go back to parts of it once you're done. This book is specially recommended for young people. With its collection of curious practical problems, and great storytelling, The Man Who Counted will probably stir the attention even of those kids that "hate" math. The ones who appreciate math will definitely love this book and, very likely, will never forget it.

Every time I read this book, it never fails to amaze me. I am so wrapped up in the beauty and intricity of mathematics that I forget that I really "hate" doing math!! This book not only gives fun puzzles to solve, but also forces you to see the wonder of mathematics. I would say more, but I don't want to bore you.. all I can say is that it's enchanting, wonderful, and you will never, ever regret buying it nor will you ever look at math the same way again.

I loved this book, as do my kids. Told as stories, it contains some of the world's classic mathematical puzzles. I am often frustrated when people think math is only about numbers and calculations, and it was delighful to see this collection of entertaining stories that help to dispel that myth.

I was 13 when I read it. It is now 25 years later. I can still remember the high brought on by a book that vigorously exercised my mind and imagination.

What can mathematics do for you? Read this pearl and you will find it. It's not just about math: it's about life! The Man Who Counted also taught, thought, loved, lived! The adventures are great! It seems mathmagic! This book changed my life, and will change yours!

This great adventure story is an excellent gift for any student who likes math at all.

This is definitely not the math treatment they are getting in their public (or private) high school, although it should be. Further, this is better writing than they are getting in anything they are reading in their English class.

You will be hard pressed to find a more subtle statement of the absolute beauty of math.

I can be counted in the number of those who learned to fear and hate Math from the deep of their hearts. I read this book six months ago and I come back to it again and again ever since. It's first class literature, too. All I have to say is 'more from Tahan, please!'

The math is everywhere , this is a great book to read , it's easy to follow the math he uses in order to solve others problems , they are very impresive

I would be a different person without this book. This is THE book that made me like math 35 years ago. Many (most?) educated Brazilians were exposed to this book and keep buying it for their kids.
The scenario shows only the good parts of Islam, making the story very "1001 Nights" like. Arabia is the right historic background to introduce math, as ancient Greece is apropriate to introduce geometry and so on.
When I recommended the book to the international school I help manage, I discovered that many families already had it - including at least one of the teachers. A must.