The Story of Numbers: How Mathematics Has Shaped Civilization [Paperback]

John McLeish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 14, 1994

"Completely fascinating."
TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPLEMENT
Journeying through time, THE STORY OF NUMBERS explores the history of mathematics to trace the rise of various number sysems in cultures from Mesopotamia to the modern Computer Era. John McLeish reveals how these number systems in turn have shaped the cultures that devised them. From the secrets and the beauty of the Mayan calendar, to Arabaian algebra, the Chinese counting board, from Pythagoras to Newton to Boole, McLeish uncovers the human side of numbers, who used them and how they have shaped our world.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

"Completely fascinating."
TIMES EDUCATIONAL SUPLEMENT
Journeying through time, THE STORY OF NUMBERS explores the history of mathematics to trace the rise of various number sysems in cultures from Mesopotamia to the modern Computer Era. John McLeish reveals how these number systems in turn have shaped the cultures that devised them. From the secrets and the beauty of the Mayan calendar, to Arabaian algebra, the Chinese counting board, from Pythagoras to Newton to Boole, McLeish uncovers the human side of numbers, who used them and how they have shaped our world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (June 14, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449909387
• ISBN-13: 978-0449909386
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,337,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to the history of numbers and Math., February 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Story of Numbers: How Mathematics Has Shaped Civilization (Paperback)

The Story of Numbers-How mathematics has shaped civilization by a Canadian, Professor John McLeish in 1991 is a little 267-page book which provides a nice introduction to the history of the origin of number systems and the basic concepts of mathematics. His distinctly global perspective is refreshing, especially since my last history class was Western Civ. in 1971 had a particularly Western slant. This book is on a level that anyone with a good high school education can appreciate. In fact I would love to see a course in high schools and colleges that taught the history of math, and this would provide a good course outline. The book is well illustrated, and most of his examples could be followed by a nonmathmetician such as I am. The bibliography listed about 100 other books along similar lines, several of which I will probably obtain. This book is not quite as light reading as Innumeracy by John Paulos, but it does hold your attention. Each of the 18 chapters was relatively self-contained, and it was closer in style to Dr. Paulos' book, Beyond Numeracy. Overall, a good value for about $11. U.S. Enjoy. David Covey, M.D., Searcy, AR., U.S.A. 2/2/97.