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Amir D. Aczel
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Finding Zero: A Mathematician's Odyssey to Uncover the Origins of Numbers Kindle Edition

by Amir D. Aczel (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 248 ratings
“A captivating story, not just an intellectual quest but a personal one . . . gripping [and] filled with the passion and wonder of numbers.” —The New York Times

Virtually everything in our lives is digital, numerical, or quantified. But the story of how and where we got these numerals, which we so depend on, has for thousands of years been shrouded in mystery. Finding Zero is the saga of Amir Aczel’s lifelong obsession: to find the original sources of our numerals, perhaps the greatest abstraction the human mind has ever created.

Aczel has doggedly crisscrossed the ancient world, scouring dusty, moldy texts, cross-examining so-called scholars who offered wildly differing sets of facts, and ultimately penetrating deep into a Cambodian jungle to find a definitive proof. Here, he takes the reader along for the ride.

The history begins with Babylonian cuneiform numbers, followed by Greek and Roman letter numerals. Then Aczel asks: Where do the numbers we use today, the so-called Hindu-Arabic numerals, come from? It is this search that leads him to explore uncharted territory on a grand quest into India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and ultimately into the wilds of Cambodia. There he is blown away to find the earliest zero—the keystone of our entire system of numbers—on a crumbling, vine-covered wall of a seventh-century temple adorned with eaten-away erotic sculptures.

While on this odyssey, Aczel meets a host of fascinating characters: academics in search of truth, jungle trekkers looking for adventure, surprisingly honest politicians, shameless smugglers, and treacherous archaeological thieves—who finally reveal where our numbers come from.

“A historical adventure that doubles as a surprisingly engaging math lesson . . . rip-roaring exploits and escapades.” —Publishers Weekly
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    St. Martin's Press
  4. Publication date
    January 6, 2015
  5. File size
    4.5 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

The journey to zero is an adventure worth joining.

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

An exciting personal adventure reminding readers of how much nothing really means!

-- "Booklist (starred review)"

[A] captivating story, not just an intellectual quest but a personal one. His tale is gripping, filled with the passion and wonder of numbers.

-- "New York Times"

Prolific mathematics writer Aczel leads a historical adventure that doubles as a surprisingly engaging math lesson...The story brims with local color, as well as insights into the history of mathematics and philosophy. Readers may find themselves questioning Aczel's sanity, as his obsession with zero's origins drives him from one dead end to the next, but it's difficult to avoid being drawn into his quest with these rip-roaring exploits and escapades.

-- "Publishers Weekly"

About the Author

Amir Aczel (1950-2015) earned his PhD in mathematics from UC Berkeley and is the author of the acclaimed Fermat's Last Theorum, which was published in twenty-two languages. In 2012 he was awarded a Sloan Foundation grant; in 2004 he was awarded the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship. From 2005 to 2007, Aczel was a visiting scholar at Harvard. He was also a research fellow in the history of science at Boston University. He wrote for Discover magazine online, regularly published in Scientific American as well as science pieces for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. He often interviewed about science on radio and television, including recent appearances on NPR's Talk of the Nation's Science Friday.



Stefan Rudnicki first became involved with audiobooks in 1994. Now a Grammy-winning audiobook producer, he has worked on more than three thousand audiobooks as a narrator, writer, producer, or director. He has narrated more than three hundred audiobooks. A recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards, he was presented the coveted Audie Award for solo narration in 2005, 2007, and 2014 and was named one of AudioFile's Golden Voices in 2012.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00LRWXE4O
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin's Press (January 6, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 6, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 248 ratings

About the author

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Amir D. Aczel

Amir D. Aczel

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Amir D. Aczel, Ph.D., is the author of 17 books on mathematics and science, some of which have been international bestsellers. Aczel has taught mathematics, statistics, and history of science at various universities, and was a visiting scholar at Harvard in 2005-2007. In 2004, Aczel was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is also the recipient of several teaching awards, and a grant from the American Institute of Physics to support the writing of two of his books. Aczel is currently a research fellow in the history of science at Boston University. The photo shows Amir D. Aczel inside the CMS detector of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, the international laboratory near Geneva, Switzerland, while there to research his new book, "Present at the Creation: The Story of CERN and the Large Hadron Collider"--which is about the search for the mysterious Higgs boson, the so-called "God particle," dark matter, dark energy, the mystery of antimatter, Supersymmetry, and hidden dimensions of spacetime.

See Amir D. Aczel's webpage: http://amirdaczel.com

Video on CERN and the Large Hadron Collider: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ncx8TE2JMo

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
248 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book fascinating and extremely informative, with one review noting how it puts basic concepts in everyday language. Moreover, the story receives positive feedback as a wonderful detective tale, and customers appreciate the personal details shared by the author. However, the writing quality receives mixed reviews, with some customers finding it well written while others disagree.

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21 customers mention "Readability"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating and worth reading, with one describing it as a good travelogue.

"...But I trust the judgement of the person who said this was a great read ... bought it ... and am loving it...." Read more

"...having this stele, this physical manifestation of the zero, that is compelling, however boring the description of the search might be...." Read more

"Finding Zero is a mixed bag. On the one hand it's a fascinating trek to find evidence of the first "Arabic" zero; on the other it is very..." Read more

"...Thank you Amir. The story was a light and interesting travelogue too. I enjoyed it and read it in part of a day." Read more

15 customers mention "Information quality"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book extremely informative and say it stirs up an interest in mathematics, with one customer noting how it puts basic concepts in everyday language.

"...It's as much an enchanting memoir as anything." Read more

"...The author provides a good intro to the mathematical concepts for non-phds (no prior math knowledge is required to enjoy and under this book) and..." Read more

"Stirred up an interest in mathematics for me and interest in where the concept of zero actually did originate...." Read more

"I am a scientist but got a real appreciation of numbers, their history and formation but specifically the numeral zero and the concept of infinity...." Read more

10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the narrative of the book, describing it as a wonderful detective story with a great ending featuring local treasure.

"...can set aside the writing style and repetition, you will find an interesting story of the author's quest to hunt down the beginnings of western and..." Read more

"...Thank you Amir. The story was a light and interesting travelogue too. I enjoyed it and read it in part of a day." Read more

"...Good story, great ending with local treasure. Good does win over. History is saved. A little reminiscent of Monuments Men...." Read more

"...At times it reads like a detective story with several twists and turns...." Read more

3 customers mention "Personal detail"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the personal details in the book, with one mentioning how it provides a very personal account of a successful search.

"...and also adds some autobiographical stories to make it even more relatable." Read more

"...work that says less than it should at times and a very personal account if a search that succeeded. An inspiration to all...." Read more

"This is an impressive story, well told with a welcome dose of personal details...." Read more

7 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book.

"This is an impressive story, well told with a welcome dose of personal details...." Read more

"...The prose comes across a bit flat. At least until he gets to the end of his journey...." Read more

"...It's well written and informative." Read more

"...evidence of the first "Arabic" zero; on the other it is very poorly written...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Tom Ahern
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended by someone I follow in Twitter & she was right
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I'm not a math person. I'm a person who breathed a sigh of relief when calculators first hit the market (yes, THAT old). But I trust the judgement of the person who said this was a great read ... bought it ... and am loving it. It's as much an enchanting memoir as anything.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Timothy Haugh
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Search for a Stele
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    No one who cares about mathematics at all is ignorant of the importance of the invention of zero. (The strains of the Schoolhouse Rock song “My Hero, Zero” sound in my head even as I write these words.) I was always taught that the concept of zero was an Indian invention that ultimately made its way into the “Arabic” numerals and, so, to the West. Though Mr. Aczel doesn’t completely upset the apple cart with his new book, Finding Zero, he attempts to tell a story that is deeper and more interesting than the one zero usually gets in histories of mathematics. In some ways, he succeeds.

    Mr. Aczel does two things of importance in this book. First, he argues that the concept of zero would likely never have been developed in Western Europe. Essentially, he believes that the concept of zero developed out of the different logic that comes from historical Buddhism and Hinduism. Whereas Greek logic, for example, depended highly on an either/or system (exemplified through proof by contradiction), Buddhist and Hindu logic developed from a “true, not true, both, neither” logic that laid the groundwork for concepts like zero and infinity.

    Second, he pushes the development of the concept of zero further to the East than India. In fact, he argues that it comes from Southeast Asia, as his search takes him to Thailand and, ultimately, to Cambodia. He is searching for a seventh-century stele called K-127, which records the earliest known use of a “modern” zero. Discovered in 1929 by a man named George Coedes, it disappeared during the wars of the sixties and seventies.

    In fact, it is Mr. Aczel’s search for this stele that drives most of this book and this is one place where the book falls short. Much of it turns out to be a travelogue of his journey to the stele. Unfortunately, his ability to tell a compelling travel story is not nearly as strong as his ability to put mathematical concepts into an historical context. The prose comes across a bit flat. At least until he gets to the end of his journey. And, though it seems that Southeast Asia is the heart of the development of zero, it should be noted that these steles developed from the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism. That is, India.

    Still, there is much to like about this book. There is something about having this stele, this physical manifestation of the zero, that is compelling, however boring the description of the search might be. And having this extended investigation into the invention of zero is something not to be missed for anyone interested in the history of mathematics.
    17 people found this helpful
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  • Bulent Basaran
    5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure hunt for the first sign of nothing..
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    .. or is it something? The number zero comes so naturally to us, modern human beings. It's fascinating to realize that humans had lived without it for many millennia. I have enjoyed a number (puns happen 8-) of other books by this author, also a mathematician: Chance and Descartes' Secret are my favorites. I learned a lot from both (fundamentals and wonderful applications of probability and the famous proof of epistemology by Descartes: the cogito. ) So, I picked this one up ready and eager to learn more. And, I wasn't disappointed. The earliest record of a symbol for zero is apparently quite recent. Neither Muhammed not Jesus, let alone Moses knew about it! Buddha or some of his followers may have been behind articulating the concept of nothing (emptiness) first in history. Also, very interestingly, the tetralemma, a generalization of binary, Boolean logic seems to have originated in Buddhist thought. The author provides a good intro to the mathematical concepts for non-phds (no prior math knowledge is required to enjoy and under this book) and also adds some autobiographical stories to make it even more relatable.
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  • Knute Snortum
    3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed bag
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Finding Zero is a mixed bag. On the one hand it's a fascinating trek to find evidence of the first "Arabic" zero; on the other it is very poorly written. If you can set aside the writing style and repetition, you will find an interesting story of the author's quest to hunt down the beginnings of western and near eastern numerals.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Susan McKinney
    4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring.
    Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Stirred up an interest in mathematics for me and interest in where the concept of zero actually did originate. There is so much more to numbers than we think without someone opening our minds to learn more. Thank you Amir. The story was a light and interesting travelogue too. I enjoyed it and read it in part of a day.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jules
    5.0 out of 5 stars Numbers Appreciation
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I am a scientist but got a real appreciation of numbers, their history and formation but specifically the numeral zero and the concept of infinity. The book is a little heavy on philosophy but easy to understand and follow.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really good story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I like books that discuss impossible searches. Difficult tasks with great ending s. There are obstacle s and mystery. Good story, great ending with local treasure. Good does win over. History is saved. A little reminiscent of Monuments Men. Thanks for the great true story.
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  • natalie miller
    4.0 out of 5 stars an engaging read
    Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Once my physicist husband pointed out to me—many years ago—that zero is magical, I've been fascinated by it, and Dr. Aczel's book fills the bill admirably. I especially like his discussions of the differences between Western and Eastern logic, set theory and the Void and Infinity. His description of concepts of Buddhism and Hinduism ring true to me, even if I am irredeemably stuck in the Western linear mode. His own passion (obsession?) with finding zero is charmingly and deeply portrayed, and makes for a perfect frame for the philosophical content. An engaging read for someone who wants to think.

    If I am stingy with that last star, it is only because the book felt padded in spots.
    10 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Shrikant
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great job Amir !!
    Reviewed in India on May 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Great work by a passionate mathematician. Its sad that we have lost so many records of our illustrious history of mathematics, medicine, science in India. Amir did a great job in traveling to east and finding the sources of information.
    Planning to read some more work of Amir.
    A must read for those who love mathematics, India and eastern culture.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I am very happy with this book
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars It describes the importance of zero and its connection to Buddhism
    Reviewed in Australia on June 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Zero was invented may be thousand five hundred years ago by Buddhists who had a knowledge of void (sunyata) and the Catuskoti logic that is different from Aristotelian Logic. The Author describes the details in a very simple but elegant way.
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  • P. Belfiglio
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Adventure
    Reviewed in Canada on November 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is the author's personal story of growing up and then embarking on a quest that was instilled in him when he was young. It's an easy read and I quite enjoyed it.
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  • Chantal
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
    Reviewed in France on March 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Whether you are interested in Cambodia, or in math, or in art, or in a good mystery, this is the book for you!
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