Title: Thinking In Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning, and Math
Author: Daniel Tammet
First published August 1, 2012
288 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780316187374 (ISBN10: 0316187372)
Rating: 3.52
Overview
In his latest book, Thinking In Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning, and Math, Daniel Tammet continues to dazzle readers with his unique perspective on the world of numbers. Tammet, a bestselling author and mathematical savant, brings to life the beauty of mathematics and its impact on our everyday lives.
Using relatable stories, historical events, and literature, Tammet weaves together a tapestry that will leave readers with a newfound appreciation for numbers, fractions, and equations. From exploring the complexities of time to examining the concept of an “average” person, Tammet’s book will inspire readers to think differently and see the world in a whole new light.
Thinking In Numbers is a must-read for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the world around us.
About the Author
Daniel Tammet was born in a working-class suburb of London, England in 1979. He was the eldest of nine children, and his parents were both full-time caregivers.
Despite experiencing early childhood epileptic seizures and atypical behavior, Tammet received a standard education at local schools. He had a passion for reading, and won the town’s ‘Eager Reader’ prize at the age of eleven.
He was twice named Student of the Year in secondary school and completed his Advanced level studies in French, German, and History.
In 1998, Tammet took up a volunteer English teaching post in Kaunas, Lithuania, and returned to London the following year. He launched the online language learning company, Optimnem in 2002, which was named a member of the UK’s ‘National Grid for Learning’ in 2006.
Tammet was diagnosed with high-functioning autistic savant syndrome in 2004 by Professor Simon Baron-Cohen at Cambridge University’s Autism Research Centre. The same year, he recited the mathematical constant Pi from memory to 22,514 decimal places in 5 hours, 9 minutes, without error, setting a European record.
Tammet began writing in 2005 and published his first book, Born On A Blue Day, in 2006. It became a Sunday Times bestseller and spent eight weeks on the New York Times bestseller list after its US publication in 2007.
In 2008, it was a Best Book for Young Adults and a Booklist Editors’ Choice. Tammet’s second book, Embracing the Wide Sky, was published in 2009 and became one of France’s best-selling non-fiction books of the year.
He has since published Thinking in Numbers, a collection of essays.
Tammet emigrated to France in 2008 and currently resides in Paris.
Editoral Review
In the book “Thinking in Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning, and Math,” author Daniel Tammet explores the relationships between mathematics and real life experiences, drawing on his own experiences as an autistic savant who sees the world through numbers. Published on August 1, 2012, the book is a work of non-fiction that blends memoir, philosophy, and mathematics in a unique and insightful way.
Tammet is a British writer and educator who has published several books, including the best-selling memoir “Born on a Blue Day.” He is also known for his exceptional abilities as a mathematician and linguist, and has been the subject of scientific studies on the functioning of the human brain. In this book, Tammet offers a series of essays that explore the ways in which numbers shape our understanding of the world, from personal relationships to cultural values.
The book is divided into four sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the relationship between numbers and human experience. The first section, “Maths in Life,” examines how mathematics can help us to make sense of our relationships with others, while the second section, “Maths in Love,” explores the role of numbers in romantic relationships.
The third section, “Maths in Meaning,” delves into the ways in which numbers can help us to understand the larger cultural, social, and philosophical questions that shape our lives, and the final section, “Maths in the Mind,” looks at the role of mathematics in human cognition and perception. Throughout the book, Tammet draws on examples from his own life to illustrate the concepts he is exploring, from his relationship with his partner to his experiences with synesthesia, a condition in which sensory experiences are mixed and blended together.
He also provides historical and cultural contexts for these experiences, drawing on a diverse range of sources including ancient texts, modern poetry, and scientific studies. One of the strengths of this book is Tammet’s ability to blend his personal experiences with broader insights into human nature and the human experience.
His stories are engaging and relatable, and his use of mathematics to illuminate these experiences is both insightful and thought-provoking. Tammet’s writing is elegant and clear, with a poetic quality that lifts the text beyond its subject matter.
However, one weakness of the book is that Tammet’s writing can sometimes feel too abstract or philosophical, and there are moments when the reader may lose sight of the connection between the numbers he is discussing and the real-life experiences he is drawing on. Additionally, some readers may find the book too focused on Tammet’s own experiences, and may wish for more general insights into the relationship between mathematics and human experience.
Overall, “Thinking in Numbers: On Life, Love, Meaning, and Math” is a beautifully written and insightful exploration of the ways in which numbers shape our understanding of the world. Tammet’s unique perspective as an autistic savant offers a fresh and compelling take on the subject matter, and his blend of personal memoir, philosophy, and mathematics is engaging and thought-provoking.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring the interplay between mathematics and human experience, and the ways in which our relationships with numbers shape our perceptions of the world. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give this book a rating of 8, based on its clear writing style, engaging subject matter, and unique perspective on the relationship between mathematics and human experience.
