1
of
1
Zero
The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 11,640 ratings, 1,101 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2600
$2799
Elsewhere:
Unit price
/
Unavailable
OVERNIGHT NZ-WIDE DELIVERY
Found a better price? Request a price match
Zero
$2600
$2799
Elsewhere:
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Latest News
The Books That Made Us Readers
The book hero team are sharing the books that made them readers!
The Making of an Accounts Hero
From childhood loans and dishwasher money to tax returns, Excel and Book Hero’s accounts, Marnie...
Play to Screen Report 13/08/26
From major casting rumours and long-awaited adaptations to new family favourites heading to the big...
Welcome Piece House to Book Hero!
Meet Piece House, a New Zealand-owned puzzle company creating stunning jigsaw puzzles featuring beautiful artwork...
Gotta catch 'em all! Pokemon Tonies Now Up For Pre-Order
Pokemon tonies have just been announced & are up for pre-order. Official release date is...
See moreThis informative and easy-to-read book is the story of the people who battled over the meaning of the mysterious number - the scholars and mystics, the scientists and clergymen - who tried to understand zero.
A NEW YORK TIMES Notable Book on a perennially fascinating subject: the idea of ZERO
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
In Zero, Charles Seife takes readers on a fascinating journey through the origins and tumultuous history of the number zero. This unique narrative blends history, philosophy, religion, and science to explore how a seemingly simple concept can spur on profound shifts across multiple disciplines.
Zero, a mathematical void that was initially absent in ancient civilisations, made its dramatic entrance through Eastern philosophy. As it travelled westward, zero encountered fierce resistance and passionate defenders alike. The book recounts the epic tale of the scholars, mystics, scientists, and clergymen who fought over the meaning and implications of zero. From the contemplations of Archimedes and the philosophical debates of Aristotle to the groundbreaking theories of Newton and Stephen Hawking, zero has baffled and challenged some of the greatest minds in history.
Zero delves deeply into the paradoxes and perplexities posed by this unassuming number. Its story is a testament to the power and danger of new ideas, showing how zero rattled the foundations of established scientific, mathematical, religious, and philosophical thought. The struggles over zero's acceptance spotlight the intellectual battles that have defined human progress throughout the centuries.
Beyond a mere mathematical symbol, zero's tale is intertwined with the evolution of civilisation itself. From its elusive beginnings to its vital role in modern theoretical physics, the book paints a vivid picture of zero's journey and its revolutionary impact. Charles Seife masterfully illuminates how zero has been instrumental in technological advancements and has underpinned major shifts in thought, right up to the present day.
Zero is not just the history of a number; it is the story of a concept that scandalised religions, revolutionised the sciences, and laid the groundwork for modern mathematics and technology. It is a compelling and accessible read that makes complex ideas approachable for all readers, telling the captivating story of the nothing that is everything.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Zero by Charles Seife has been praised as a well-written and lucid popular science book. Reviews highlight its wit and clarity, making complex mathematical concepts accessible. Critics commend Seife's ability to explain hard science and provide a comprehensive tour from ancient to modern theories about zero. The book is noted for being an engaging and painless way to gain complex knowledge.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780285635944
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 12 October 2000
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Souvenir Press Ltd
Edition: Main
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 18.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 177g
Pages: 256
About the Author
Charles Seife earned his BA in mathematics from Princeton University, an MS in mathematics from Yale University, and an MS in journalism from Columbia University. Trained by such mathematicians as Andrew Wiles, who solved Fermat's Last Theorem, and John Conway, who invented the 'game of life', Seife has done research in probability theory, artificial intelligence, signal processing, and the visualisation of the multidimensional spaces. He has worked for the Department of Defense and is currently an American correspondent for New Scientist. He has also written for numerous other publications including Scientific American, Science, The Economist, and Wired UK.
More from Science & Nature
View all-
John and Paul
THE SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 'A triumph.' Deborah Levy, New Statesman 'Tremendous.' Alwyn Turner, The Times 'Revelatory.' Simon Schama, Financial Times 'The gold standard of Beatles books.' Anthony Quinn, Observer 'As enthralling and astonishing as their music.' Jon Dennis, Sunday Telegraph 'A masterpiece.' Dylan Jones, Evening Standard '[Ian Leslie]...Paperback$2800Elsewhere:$3299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Raising Hare
THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2025 SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE HATCHARDS AND BIOGRAPHERS' CLUB FIRST BIOGRAPHY PRIZE A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE HAY FESTIVAL, SUNDAY TIMES, THE TIMES, FINANCIAL TIMES, SPECTATOR AND iNEWS 'A beautiful book' - ANGELINA JOLIE 'I...Paperback$2400Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
What If? 10th Anniversary Edition
CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF THE MILLION-SELLING POP SCIENCE CLASSIC WITH A SPECIAL EDITION. THIS IS WHAT IF? . . . x10. THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER 'Nerd royalty' — BEN GOLDACRE 'Totally brilliant' — TIM HARFORD 'Required reading across the world' — NEW YORK TIMES From the creator of the wildly popular xkcd.com, experience hilarious and informative answers to important questions...Hardback$4200Elsewhere:$5000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Anxious Generation
A powerful argument for reclaiming childhood—and all human relationships—from the online world, from the influential social psychologist and international bestselling author. Jonathan Haidt has spent his career speaking truth and wisdom in some of the most difficult spaces—communities polarised by politics and religion, campuses battling culture wars, and now the mental health emergency hitting teenagers today in many countries around...Paperback$2299Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Prisoners of Geography
Prisoners of Geography looks at the past, present, and future to offer crucial insights into one of the major factors that determine world history – because if you don’t know geography, you’ll never have the full picture. Originally published in 2015, this completely revised and updated edition brings it up to date with the events and trends of the past...Paperback$2899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Diddly Squat: Home to Roost
It's been another memorable year on Diddly Squat Farm - will the chickens finally come home to roost? Welcome back to Clarkson's Farm. The spring crop failed. Farming sheep, pigs, and cows was hardly more lucrative (better off breeding ostriches...) But in the face of uncooperative weather, bureaucracy, and the world's persistent refusal to recognise his genius, our hero's not...Paperback$2600Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Place of Tides
To save the world, we have to start somewhere. One afternoon many years ago, James Rebanks met an old woman on a remote Norwegian island. She lived and worked alone on a tiny rocky outcrop, caring for wild ducks and gathering their down. Hers was a centuries-old trade that had once made men and women rich, but had long been...Paperback$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Ultra-Processed People
Launching the runaway bestseller with ambitions to be the biggest non-fiction paperback of the year IT'S NOT YOU. IT'S THE FOOD. "If you only read one diet or nutrition book in your life, make it this one" - Bee Wilson "You've got to get this book in your life . . . Completely compelling . . . Read a page...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$2800Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Kitchen Confidential
The classic bestseller from the star of Parts Unknown and No Reservations: 25th Anniversary edition, with a new introduction by Irvine Welsh. BEFORE THERE WAS THE BEAR, THERE WAS BOURDAIN. ‘Elizabeth David written by Quentin Tarantino’ — A.A. Gill ‘Fantastic: as lip-smackingly seductive as a bowl of fat chips and pungent aioli’ — Daily Telegraph After twenty-five years of sex,...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Sapiens
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is an extraordinary exploration of humanity's history from the dawn of our species to the present day. Harari delves into our evolution, offering insights into the cognitive revolutions that allowed Homo sapiens to rise above other animal species. Traversing through various stages of human development, he examines the Agricultural Revolution, the unification of humankind through...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$3000Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Invisible Women
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez is a groundbreaking and meticulously researched exploration into the pervasive gender bias that infiltrates every aspect of our society. Through compelling case studies and thorough analysis, this book unveils the hidden ways women are systematically disadvantaged in a world predominantly designed by and for men. Perez's revelations stretch across various sectors including government policy,...Paperback$2500Elsewhere:$2600Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Clean & Green
Simple swaps and innovative ideas for cleaning and maintaining your home that won't cost the Earth. Learn how easy it is to make simple swaps in your cleaning and tidying methods for a more eco-friendly home. This beautifully illustrated black and white guide with 101 hints and sustainable, natural cleaning tips and hacks will help you take small steps that...Paperback$2999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
