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The Secret Lives of Numbers

A Global History of Mathematics & Its Unsung Trailblazers

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A revisionist, completely accessible and radically inclusive history of maths

Mathematics shapes almost everything we do. But despite its reputation as the study of fundamental truths, the stories we have been told about it are wrong. In The Secret Lives of Numbers, historian Kate Kitagawa and journalist Timothy Revell introduce readers to the mathematical boundary-smashers who have been erased by history because of their race, gender or nationality.

From the brilliant Arabic scholars of the ninth-century House of Wisdom, and the pioneering African American mathematicians of the twentieth century, to the 'lady computers' around the world who revolutionised our knowledge of the night sky, we meet these fascinating trailblazers and see how they contributed to our global knowledge today.

This revisionist, completely accessible and radically inclusive history of mathematics is as entertaining as it is important.

'Lively, satisfying, good at explaining difficult concepts' The Sunday Times

©2023 Tomoko L. Kitagawa & Timothy Revell (P)2023 Penguin Audio

 Historical History History & Philosophy Mathematics Professionals & Academics Science Science & Technology
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Most relevant
Elegantly told, and the maths is simply explained - perfect for the layman like me. Well read too. I’m recommending it to everyone!

Fascinating review of the history and geography and social politics of mathematics

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The approach to the topic and the range of issues as well as the linking of various mathematical discoveries and achievements

The reader's soothing voice

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