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Synopsis
Documents the calculation, numerical value, and use of the ratio from 2000 B.C. to the modern computer age, detailing social conditions in eras when progress was made.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Dr. Beckmann presents a good overview for the experimenter/historian on the nature of this transcendental number.From the Early Greeks to the computer age he gives a good historical example of how PI has been derived. A little lacking on the computer age, he presents a good overview for beginning students.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Dr. Petr Beckmann was never one to mince words. He quotes a biblical passage that strongly implies that pi equals 3, and while he is never disrespectful to the Bible, he does mock the tortured attempts of some fundamentalists to reconcile this passage with the actual value of pi.
He also mocks the Indiana State Legislature (which, in 1897, nearly passed a law that set the value of pi at about 9.23), and Theodore Heisel (who, in 1931, wrote a mathematical treatise that ignored 4000 years of progress in determining pi).
But he praises Archimedes and Newton, among others, for their heroic and quiet progress in determining the value and application of pi. And, sadly, he concludes that the Heisels of the world are more numerous than the Archimedes.
Great book. But it must be read with an open mind.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By derek a
Format:Paperback
There are three things to say about this book:
1. It is a reprint of a book first published in 1974, ie before the personal-computer age got going; it thus covers the history of pi only up to about 30 years ago. But this does not detract very much from the book as all that has happened (I think) since the advent of powerful computers is that pi has been calculated to a lot more decimal places.
2. The author - someone who has an interest in history as well as mathematics - is very polemical in his views, calling the Romans "thugs" because of their disregard for culture, and taking a hard line on the Church and Communism in relation to their lack of openness towards science and the discussion of new ideas. Readers should be prepared for more than just a mathematical treatise.
3. I am a maths graduate (of many years ago) and was able to follow most of the mathematical proofs and calculations in the book, athough it seemed to me that there were some typographical errors in the maths that at times made the logic hard to follow (or was it just me??).
Overall, though, if you want a fairly easy read of a good description of the history of the discovery of pi and the work done over the centuries trying to discern its value, this book is worth having.
1. It is a reprint of a book first published in 1974, ie before the personal-computer age got going; it thus covers the history of pi only up to about 30 years ago. But this does not detract very much from the book as all that has happened (I think) since the advent of powerful computers is that pi has been calculated to a lot more decimal places.
2. The author - someone who has an interest in history as well as mathematics - is very polemical in his views, calling the Romans "thugs" because of their disregard for culture, and taking a hard line on the Church and Communism in relation to their lack of openness towards science and the discussion of new ideas. Readers should be prepared for more than just a mathematical treatise.
3. I am a maths graduate (of many years ago) and was able to follow most of the mathematical proofs and calculations in the book, athough it seemed to me that there were some typographical errors in the maths that at times made the logic hard to follow (or was it just me??).
Overall, though, if you want a fairly easy read of a good description of the history of the discovery of pi and the work done over the centuries trying to discern its value, this book is worth having.
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3.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely book!
Everyone with interests in math and history should read this book.
The author has a sharp vision on things and I like that. Read more
The author has a sharp vision on things and I like that. Read more
Published on 7 July 2010 by Daniel Marivoet
3.0 out of 5 stars
Calculate PI
The thing I really liked about the book was the quite personal style of the author. From the Early Greeks to the computer age he gives a good historical example of how PI has been... Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2010 by G. I. Paparides
4.0 out of 5 stars
vibrant read , pity regarding reference to a secondary source
The thing I really liked about the book was the quite personal style of the author. This actually made the book more compelling than any strait-jacketed attempt at supposed... Read more
Published on 26 April 2008 by M. J. Siddiq
5.0 out of 5 stars
a popular discourse on the history of Pi
A book which is wonderfully well-written and can make you laugh out loud. It reflects the author's growing up in stalinist-era checkoslovakia, and his distaste for totalinarianism... Read more
Published on 25 May 2000
2.0 out of 5 stars
entertaining but obnoxious
The author sounds like someone I'd love to meet at the Oak Bar for a few martinis--but over a book's length his initially amusing tantrums and diatribes about the fools of history... Read more
Published on 23 Aug 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
A mathematics book for the book shelf!
I bought this book in hardcover over 20 years ago. The book has been translated into over 20 languages and has served as a stimulus and inspiration for hundreds of future... Read more
Published on 12 July 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beckmann's Book was great
I liked A History of Pi. It showed how pi evolved into what it is today and it also contributed to the very little number of pi books available.
Published on 10 Jun 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny, erudite, and as MORAL as it is LOGICAL
Read "Consilience"? So far as "Consilience" has points to make, this little book makes the same points, but makes them with biting wit-- and in less than half... Read more
Published on 6 Dec 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sorry he's gone.
Beckmann died in 1992. I love this book. Whatever needed saying, Beckmann said it. A great engineer, a great man, a darn good writer. Read more
Published on 4 Aug 1998
1.0 out of 5 stars
An irritating little book
I agree with the majority here:- there are some interesting little anecdotes. BUT it is written by a small minded person. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 1998
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