Book description
At a moment of great discovery, one Big Idea can change the world...
Pythagoras was arguably the first 'genius' of Western culture,
establishing a blend of high intellect and high lunacy, both of which
have become recurrent features of this scholarly heritage. Most
memorably, he created the Pythagorean Theorem, and established the
concept of proofs in mathematics. Less well known was the religion he
founded which forbade his disciples from eating beans or stepping over
fallen poles!
Pythagoras & His Theorem tells the remarkable story of the life
of this poorly understood genius and the transformation his work
brought about in mathematics. Pythagoras' Big Idea is presented in an
accessible and enthralling way, providing an explanation of the
meaning of his work, its historical and scientific context, and
significance for the world in which we live.
The Big Idea series is a fascinating look at the greatest
advances in our scientific history, and at the men and women who made
these fundamental breakthroughs.
Paul Strathern was born in London and studied philosophy at Trinity
College, Dublin. He was a lecturer at Kingston University where he
taught philosophy and mathematics. He is a Somerset Maugham
prize-winning novelist of
A Season in Abyssinia
, as well as four other novels. He is also the author of the
Philosophers in 90 Minutes
series
.
He wrote
Mendeleyev's Dream
which was shortlisted for the Aventis Science Book Prize,
Dr.
Strangelove's Game: A History of Economic Genius
,
The Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance
,
Napoleon in Egypt
and most recently,
The Artist, The Philosopher and The Warrior
,
which details the convergence of three of Renaissance Italy's most
brilliant minds: Leonardo Da Vinci, Niccolo Machiavelli and Cesare
Borgia. He lives in London and has three grandchildren.
