Book Review: Zero, The Biography of a Dangerous Idea by Charles Seife

(Image: https://www.ntskeptics.org/books/zero.gif)

Charles Seife, professor at New York University, wrote Zero, The Biography of a Dangerous Idea in 2000. Zero tells the story of how different cultures have used, or refused to recognize, the number zero in their mathematics. In telling this story, Seife also walks the reader through the history of mathematics including geometry, algebra, and calculus. A theme throughout the book is also the relationship of infinity and zero. In addition to the mathematical history, the book includes how zero and infinity link with many scientific concepts, including the future of the universe, absolute temperature, string theory, and quantum mechanics.