One of Britain's leading young mathematicians recounts the history of these elusive numbers.
`.. du Sautoy's enthusiasm shines through every line of this hymn to the joy of high intelligence, illuminating as it does so even the darkest corners of his most arcane universe' Simon Winchester
Marcus du Sautoy is currently a Research Fellow at the Royal Society and has been named by the Independent on Sunday as one of the UK's leading scientists; he is also a member of Dept of Pure Mathematics at Cambridge and a fellow of All Souls, Oxford. He has previously written in The Times and appeared on Radio 4 on numerous occasions.
"Du Sautoy is a contagious enthusiast, a populist with a staunch faith in the public's intelligence [...] he has uncovered a wealth of intriguing anecdotes that he has woven into a compelling narrative."
- Observer
"He laces the ideas with history, anecdote and personalia – an entertaining mix that renders an austere subject palatable [...] valiant and ingenious [...] Even those with a mathematical allergy can enjoy du Sautoy's depictions of his cast of characters"
- The Times
"He brings hugely enjoyable writing, full of zest and passion, to the most fundamental questions in the pursuit of true knowledge."
- Sunday Times
"A mesmerising journey into the world of mathematics and its mysteries."
- Daily Mail
"A brilliant storyteller."
- Independent