Skip to content

Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea Paperback - 2000

by Charles Seife

The Babylonians invented it, the Greeks banned it, the Hindus worshiped it, and the Church used it to fend off heretics. Today, zero lies at the heart of one of the biggest scientific controversies of all time, the quest for the theory of everything. Line illustrations.


Summary

The Babylonians invented it, the Greeks banned it, the Hindus worshiped it, and the Church used it to fend off heretics. Now it threatens the foundations of modern physics. For centuries the power of zero savored of the demonic; once harnessed, it became the most important tool in mathematics. For zero, infinity's twin, is not like other numbers. It is both nothing and everything.

In Zero, Science Journalist Charles Seife follows this innocent-looking number from its birth as an Eastern philosophical concept to its struggle for acceptance in Europe, its rise and transcendence in the West, and its ever-present threat to modern physics. Here are the legendary thinkers—from Pythagoras to Newton to Heisenberg, from the Kabalists to today's astrophysicists—who have tried to understand it and whose clashes shook the foundations of philosophy, science, mathematics, and religion. Zero has pitted East against West and faith against reason, and its intransigence persists in the dark core of a black hole and the brilliant flash of the Big Bang. Today, zero lies at the heart of one of the biggest scientific controversies of all time: the quest for a theory of everything.

From the publisher

Popular math at its most entertaining and enlightening. "Zero is really something"-Washington Post A New York Times Notable Book. The Babylonians invented it, the Greeks banned it, the Hindus worshiped it, and the Church used it to fend off heretics. Now it threatens the foundations of modern physics. For centuries the power of zero savored of the demonic; once harnessed, it became the most important tool in mathematics. For zero, infinity's twin, is not like other numbers. It is both nothing and everything. In Zero, Science Journalist Charles Seife follows this innocent-looking number from its birth as an Eastern philosophical concept to its struggle for acceptance in Europe, its rise and transcendence in the West, and its ever-present threat to modern physics. Here are the legendary thinkers--from Pythagoras to Newton to Heisenberg, from the Kabalists to today's astrophysicists--who have tried to understand it and whose clashes shook the foundations of philosophy, science, mathematics, and religion. Zero has pitted East against West and faith against reason, and its intransigence persists in the dark core of a black hole and the brilliant flash of the Big Bang. Today, zero lies at the heart of one of the biggest scientific controversies of all time: the quest for a theory of everything.

First line

The story of zero is an ancient one.

Details

  • Title Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
  • Author Charles Seife
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 272
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, New York
  • Date September 5, 2000
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated, Index
  • ISBN 9780140296471 / 0140296476
  • Weight 0.5 lbs (0.23 kg)
  • Dimensions 8 x 5.1 x 0.9 in (20.32 x 12.95 x 2.29 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Zero (The number)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 99036693
  • Dewey Decimal Code 513

About the author

Charles Seife is the author of five previous books, including Proofiness and Virtual Unreality. He has written for a wide variety of publications, including The New York Times, Wired, New Scientist, Science, Scientific American, and The Economist. He is a professor of journalism at New York University and lives in New York City.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Seife, Charles

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
UsedVeryGood
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Tucker, Georgia, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$1.47
$4.49 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedVeryGood. All orders ship by next business day! This is a used paperback book. Has wear on cover and/or pages. Book has no markings on pages. Front cover has crease(s). Back cover has crease(s). For USED books, we cannot guarantee supplemental materials such as CDs, DVDs, access codes and other materials. We are a small company and very thankful for your business!
Item Price
$1.47
$4.49 shipping to USA
Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Seife, Charles

  • Used
Condition
UsedGood
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Rotterdam , New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.83
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
UsedGood. Shows minimal wear such as frayed or folded edges, minor rips and tears, and/or slightly worn binding. May have stickers and/or contain inscription on title page. No observed missing pages. Former library copy with library markings and/or jacket. Some foxing and/or discoloration around edges.
Item Price
$5.83
FREE shipping to USA
Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Charles Seife

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
5
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2000. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA
Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Charles Seife

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2000. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. An ex-library book and may have standard library stamps and/or stickers. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA
Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Charles Seife

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
8
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2000. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA
Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Charles Seife

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2000. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. The dust jacket is missing. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA
Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Charles Seife

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2000. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$6.41
FREE shipping to USA
Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Seife, Charles

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
18
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA
Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Seife, Charles

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA
Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Zero : The Biography of a Dangerous Idea

by Seife, Charles

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780140296471
ISBN 10
0140296476
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA