Ebook: The story of numbers: how mathematics has shaped civilization

Explores the history of mathematics, discussing the number systems of various cultures which are representative of central themes and issues, and looking at some of the individuals who are responsible for the advancement of mathematics. The language of number -- The Amerindians and number -- Sumeria and Babylon -- Ancient Egypt -- Ancient China -- Ancient Greek fantasies about number -- Ancient Israel -- The Indian love-affair with number -- The Maya -- The Arabs: renaissance of number and science -- Francis Bacon and new directions -- John Napier: the rationalisation of arithmetic -- The Newtonian revolution: the marriage of craftsmanship and scholarship -- Babbage, the great unknown -- Boole and Boolean logic -- Machines which (or who?) think -- The electronic computer -- The nature of scientific change