Of Men and Numbers: The Story of the Great Mathematicians [Paperback]

Jane Muir (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0486289737 | ISBN-13: 978-0486289731 | Publication Date: February 9, 1996

Fascinating accounts of the lives and accomplishments of history's greatest mathematical minds, from Pythagoras to Georg Cantor. Muir also provides charming anecdotes about Descartes, Euler, Pascal, and many others, as well as accessible discussions of their contributions to mathematical thought. 30 diagrams. Bibliography.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (February 9, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486289737
• ISBN-13: 978-0486289731
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent non-technical book on the development of math!, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Of Men and Numbers: The Story of the Great Mathematicians (Paperback)

This is an great book for anyone who has even a slight interest in mathematics. There are lots of references to interesting math ideas & concepts, but nothing overbearing or over-techincal. It doesn't read like a textbook at all. In fact, it reads like a biography - an intriguing look into the lives of famous mathematicians with plenty of math ideas to keep your mind going - all that can be understood with a minimal education in high school math. If there is anything to complain about the book, it is that sometimes it focuses too much on the lives of the mathematicians and not enough on their work (this is why I gave it 4 and not 5 stars). However, if you're into biographies AND math, then this is a must-read, 5-star book!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant book, January 3, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Of Men and Numbers: The Story of the Great Mathematicians (Paperback)

I have been reading a lot of popular math/biography books, and this is one of the best books I have read. The way the author weaves history and math in a seamless manner is just awesome. Even the descriptions of the countries/cities where the mathematicians lived makes you want to grab a history textbook to know more.

P.S: You might be surprised by certain politically incorrect phrases like "we modern men", etc ...That is because this book was originally published in 1961

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Of Men & Numbers by Jane Muir - A review, January 24, 2001

By 

BRYAN LONG (Biloxi, MS) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Of Men and Numbers: The Story of the Great Mathematicians (Paperback)

This is an ENJOYABLE book. I am not a mathematician, but came across this book by chance while looking for some specific explanations. The book was so interesting and well written that I stopped my research and read it through. I would characterize it roughly as a chronological explanation of the lives of the world's great mathematicians. It relates their lives and contributions to knowledge to those who lived before and after them. The author strikes a very nice balance between explanation of their environment and their contribution to knowledge (and its acceptance, rejection, or being ignored). Its all nicely woven together. The book gave me the feeling of getting just the right amount of detail and explanation with plenty of references for those who wish to study deeper on many subjects covered in the book. Try it. You'll like it. End of review