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Pythagoras' Revenge: A Mathematical Mystery Hardcover – May 10, 2009

by Arturo Sangalli (Author)
3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 21 ratings
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The celebrated mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras left no writings. But what if he had and the manuscript was never found? Where would it be located? And what information would it reveal? These questions are the inspiration for the mathematical mystery novel Pythagoras' Revenge. Suspenseful and instructive, Pythagoras' Revenge weaves fact, fiction, mathematics, computer science, and ancient history into a surprising and sophisticated thriller.


The intrigue begins when Jule Davidson, a young American mathematician who trolls the internet for difficult math riddles and stumbles upon a neo-Pythagorean sect searching for the promised reincarnation of Pythagoras. Across the ocean, Elmer Galway, a professor of classical history at Oxford, discovers an Arabic manuscript hinting at the existence of an ancient scroll--possibly left by Pythagoras himself. Unknown to one another, Jule and Elmer each have information that the other requires and, as they race to solve the philosophical and mathematical puzzles set before them, their paths ultimately collide. Set in 1998 with flashbacks to classical Greece, Pythagoras' Revenge investigates the confrontation between opposing views of mathematics and reality, and explores ideas from both early and cutting-edge mathematics.


From academic Oxford to suburban Chicago and historic Rome, Pythagoras' Revenge is a sophisticated thriller that will grip readers from beginning to surprising end.

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  1. Print length
    208 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Princeton University Press
  4. Publication date
    May 10, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0691049556
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0691049557
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Math geeks will best appreciate this uneasy mix of higher mathematics and Dan Brown–style intrigue, the fiction debut of science journalist Sangalli (The Importance of Being Fuzzy and Other Insights from the Border Between Math and Computers). The Order of the Beacon, a œNeo-Pythagorean sect that believes the ancient Greek philosopher has been reincarnated, is seeking Pythagoras' current incarnation. The conspiracy ropes in mathematician Jule Davidson and his twin sister, Johanna, a computer security specialist. Pages of academic prose devoted to such concepts as random numbers as well as unnecessary chronological jumps interrupt the narrative flow. Those who enjoyed Tefcros Michaelides's Pythagorean Crimes (Reviews, July 21, 2008) will find more of the same. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Who would have guessed that a murder-treasure mystery lay hidden behind a geometric formula familiar to every high-schooler? Weaving a wealth of mathematical scholarship into a compellingly plotted novel, Sangalli recounts a fascinating tale of ancient arson and modern sleuthing, as Pythagoras of Samos (forever linked to the triangular theorem bearing his name) perishes amid brutal intrigues sweeping an early Greek colony, yet leaves behind a tantalizing legacy of numerical reasoning and paranormal mysticism. . . . To be sure, it is the author's own fertile imagination that generates the characters who form this resolute band and then scripts the adventures they encounter in their unlikely international quest. . . . [R]eaders will learn a great deal about real mathematics and its history as they join Pythagoras' modern epigones in pondering the meaning of geometrical patterns, the surprising randomness in numbers, and the logic of mathematical proofs. . . . [T]his engaging narrative will persuade many readers that mathematics offers far more excitement than they had previously supposed."---Bryce Christensen, Booklist

"[The book] comes together [around] the tantalizing possibility that Pythagoras, who forbade his followers to write down any of his sayings, may just have left something tangible after all. Sangalli builds his story on this, using clues from ancient texts, bits of mathematical lore and interesting arcana, like the puzzle that couldn't be patented because it had no solution. For a total escape, this novel is perfect."---Margaret Cannon, Globe and Mail

"Pythagoras' Revenge: A Mathematical Mystery is more than just a novel. It is also an introduction to several big ideas in mathematics, from infinite series to unsolvable puzzles. . . . [T]his romp through ancient and modern mathematics is entertaining in patches, and certainly a cut above standard holiday reading. Despite occasional plot hiccups, its gripping story will likely hold readers to the end." ― Physics World

"Initially Pythagoras' Revenge was intended to discuss the tyranny of numbers in modern societies in the same style as Sangalli's previous book. But, as if by magic, it became instead a work of fiction. . . . What remains after the end of this page-turner is Sangalli's impressive capacity to communicate mathematics. Let us take this book as a reminder to capitalize on the full potential of scientific storytelling."---Javier Fresán, Notices of the AMS

"This is an entertaining read, and although the plot is implausible at times it succeeds in conveying a variety of mathematical and philosophical ideas in a simple and light-hearted way. . . . Pythagoras' Revenge is a gripping novel that offers a refreshing way to learn about mathematics."---Sarah Shepherd, iSquared

"Human beings are story making animals, and this book shows that there is an opportunity to make use of this approach in the field. A fascinating attempt."---Brian Clegg, Popular Science

"Read this book if you like mathematics and spend some time ruminating over the larger philosophical questions that are implicit in modern math. Such questions go directly to the heart of modern scientific culture."---William Byers, European Legacy

"If you like conspiracy adventure, and can dismiss the shallow characters and clunky sub-plots, it's a fun read as you get the history, philosophy, and theories on randomness and math, and of a figure who famously said, 'All is Number.'"---Phil Semler, San Francisco Book Review

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press (May 10, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691049556
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691049557
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 8.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars 21 ratings

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Arturo Sangalli

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Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
3.6 out of 5
We don’t use a simple average to calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star. Our system gives more weight to certain factors—including how recent the review is and if the reviewer bought it on Amazon. Learn more
21 global ratings
Who was Pythagoras and What Might He Have to Say Today?
5 Stars
Who was Pythagoras and What Might He Have to Say Today?
As a fan of Dan Brown with an interest in mathematics, I was pleased to read Pythagoras' Revenge by mathematician Arturo Sangalli. A well-constructed story with developed characters, we are entertained by the search for a lost document written 5,000 years ago by the Greek philosopher-mathematician Pythagoras, as and we learn some mathematics along the way. A good read.
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Top reviews from the United States

Gordon Parker
4.0 out of 5 stars Pythagoras' Revenge
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2009
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Anyone with some knowledge of mathematics is familiar with the Pythagorean theorem, for a right triangle the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the sides. What is probably not known is the history of Pythagoras himself. Born in the sixth century BC he developed during his lifetime into a philosopher and mathematician, leader of a group of followers obsessed with the idea that through numbers one could explain the concepts of the world. He left no written record of his philosophy. The fictional account here details the action of various groups seeking a so called manuscript written by Pythagoras. The well written narrative with its many twists and surprises will keep readers eager to follow its development. There are digressions intermingled with the story introducing various mathematical concepts.
6 people found this helpful
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Grant Cairns
5.0 out of 5 stars original and entertaining math-thriller
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2009
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This is an original and entertaining math-thriller. Its strength is the care and detail that have gone into the historical elements, and into the threading of the various plot lines. It is a peculiar novel; it reads like an action thriller for teenage boys, but the main protagonist is an aging, and rather unsympathetic academic. And at it its heart, one has to suspend disbelief over two rather indigestible tenants: that the key figures would play along with the notion of reincarnation, and that the modern day Pythagorean sect would be so powerful. But these are completely consistent with the Pythagorean theme, and the book displayed a remarkable coherency. I hesitated between rating it 4 or 5, but was convinced by the appendices, notes and bibliography. The author put a lot of effort into this book. If you like math-fiction, you will very likely enjoy this. I did.
6 people found this helpful
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Michael Sporer
3.0 out of 5 stars Math a la Dan Brown
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2014
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Moderately interesting math in a rapidly moving story that ends up nowhere. While mildly entertaining, the lack of a coherent ending left me slightly disappointed. If you don't remember your high school geometry or prime number introductions, some of the story leaves you a bit lost. Good for the beach as it is entertaining enough. Not strongly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Denisee885
4.0 out of 5 stars I'd only read the beginning chapters as this book was ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2016
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I'd only read the beginning chapters as this book was bought for my daughter. Thus far it is complicated with lots of technical wording but the content can incite questions about all of these terms and problems to be solved. Not sure about the middle or the end but I am sure she will let me know if there was violence or much sexual content
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Harry
2.0 out of 5 stars Wikipedia entries couched as fiction
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2016
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I am not sure what the author's intention was in this book. It's not a novel, in that there is little interest in building a coherent narrative or credible characters. Instead, there are a series of Wikipedia-type entries on mathematics, some of them quite interesting of themselves (such as one on the nature of proof), set amongst a scaffolding of a loose story of a reincarnated Pythagorus, too inchoate for me to even summarize it. I feel the author would have been better off writing non-fiction. Instead he's written a book that's neither fish nor fowl, without the satisfaction of a cogent story or a consistent marshaling of engaging facts.
2 people found this helpful
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Gregory D.
4.0 out of 5 stars thanks
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2014
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thank you! Not what I expected but this is a very unique peice that I will one day take a look at.
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William John Cox
5.0 out of 5 stars Who was Pythagoras and What Might He Have to Say Today?
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
As a fan of Dan Brown with an interest in mathematics, I was pleased to read Pythagoras' Revenge by mathematician Arturo Sangalli. A well-constructed story with developed characters, we are entertained by the search for a lost document written 5,000 years ago by the Greek philosopher-mathematician Pythagoras, as and we learn some mathematics along the way. A good read.
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William John Cox
5.0 out of 5 stars Who was Pythagoras and What Might He Have to Say Today?
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021
As a fan of Dan Brown with an interest in mathematics, I was pleased to read Pythagoras' Revenge by mathematician Arturo Sangalli. A well-constructed story with developed characters, we are entertained by the search for a lost document written 5,000 years ago by the Greek philosopher-mathematician Pythagoras, as and we learn some mathematics along the way. A good read.
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UncleJ
1.0 out of 5 stars Does Princeton U Press have no shame
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2010
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As a work of fiction this doesn't hold up---it's merely a badly written pastiche of earlier secret society novels. Dan Brown comes to mind. Now Dan Brown is by no means a literary stylist but he does have the formula for a page tuner. Here the author doesn't really have a decent plot. PythRev is just a disconnected collection of episodes with stock cardboard characters--padded with info from wikipedia about few math topics and a bit of classical history. The math is not developed to the point that would convey any of its depth. What I find most shocking is that a distinguished university press--Princeton--would publish such obviously clumsy, amateur junk(as in 'junk food for the mind'). The author is a mathematician. He should have stuck to abstract formal systems and left writing to the writers.
6 people found this helpful
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