Pythagoras' Revenge: A Mathematical Mystery - Hardcover

Sangalli, Arturo

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0691049556 ISBN 13: 9780691049557

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2009

Synopsis

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.

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

"A fascinating thriller that weaves together historical fiction, mathematical intrigue, and mighty philosophical clashes, all with Pythagoras' teachings as a backdrop. It will keep you riveted from the first page to the last."--Eli Maor, author of The Pythagorean Theorem

"A page turner! A serious work on the philosophy of mathematics disguised as a mystery novel that would make a terrific motion picture!"--Gregory Chaitin, author of Meta Math!: The Quest for Omega

"A well-written, immensely entertaining story. Sangalli weaves mathematical and philosophical concepts into a compelling modern-day adventure. His gift is the ability to explain those concepts and make them fun, through dialogue and other tools of the fiction writer. Pythagoras' Revenge is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery novel."--Mark Cohen, author of The Fractal Murders

"A fun read, this book is gripping, clever, and chock-full of accessible math and philosophy. I couldn't put it down."--Doron Zeilberger, Rutgers University

About the Author:

Arturo Sangalli is a freelance science journalist and writer. He has a PhD in mathematics from the University of Montreal. He is the author of The Importance of Being Fuzzy: And Other Insights from the Border between Math and Computers (Princeton) and has contributed many pieces to New Scientist.

About this edition

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0691049556
• ISBN 13: 9780691049557
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208