“Wonders Beyond Numbers by Johnny Ball”

Johnny Ball’s book, Wonders Beyond Numbers, is a super little book, though at 480 pages it is not so little. Johnny Ball’s enthusiasm for the subject shines out from every page and it is a joy to read. We are carried breathlessly on a journey through 4,500 years of mathematical history as ,steadily, the subject has developed. Indeed, the subject is vast because mathematics has been and still is so vital to us all. There really is not a single aspect of human endeavour that does not owe its development, either directly, or indirectly, to mathematics and many fascinating men, as well as a few women, have given their entire lives, and sometimes their health, to making progress. Many of these people are included in the book together with the contributions and advances they made.
I have had colleagues who have told me proudly that they know nothing of science or mathematics. I even have a friend who fails to see what benefit mathematics has been to mankind. I shall tell him to read this little book which will definitely open his eyes.
All great architects and most of the best artists were mathematicians first and artists and architects second. When Leonardo da Vinci was at the height of his power he was invited by Isabelle d’Este, a notable society lady of the day, to paint her portrait. Leonardo wrote back, ‘Leonardo’s mathematical experiments have so distracted him from painting that he cannot bear to see a brush.’
I can unreservedly commend Wonders Beyond Numbers to all intelligent readers who, I know, will find it enjoyable, instructive and revealing.

Bernard Gallivan
March 2019