Rogerson's Book of Numbers
The culture of numbers from 1001 Nights to the Seven Wonders of the World
Published on 7. November 2013
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-1-78125-099-0 (ISBN)
Description
Rogerson's Book of Numbers tells the stories behind our iconic numbers. It is based on a numerical array of virtues, spiritual attributes, gods, devils, sacred cities, powers, calendars, heroes, saints, icons and cultural symbols. It provides a dazzling mass of information for those intrigued by the many roles numbers play in folklore and popular culture, in music and poetry, and in the many religions, cultures and belief systems of our world.
The stories unfold from millions to zero: from the number of the beast (666) to the seven deadly sins, the twelve signs of the zodiac to the twelve days of Christmas. Along the way you will discover why Genghis Khan built a city of 108 towers, how Dante forged his Divine Comedy on the number eleven, and why thirteen is so unlucky in the west while fourteen is the number to avoid in China.
Those who liked The Etymologicon and Schott's Original Miscellany will love Rogerson's Book of Numbers.
The stories unfold from millions to zero: from the number of the beast (666) to the seven deadly sins, the twelve signs of the zodiac to the twelve days of Christmas. Along the way you will discover why Genghis Khan built a city of 108 towers, how Dante forged his Divine Comedy on the number eleven, and why thirteen is so unlucky in the west while fourteen is the number to avoid in China.
Those who liked The Etymologicon and Schott's Original Miscellany will love Rogerson's Book of Numbers.
Reviews / Votes
Ill-killedIll-quartered
Ill-cooked
Ill-seasoned
Ill-served -- Samuel Johnson's five-fold malediction of a dissappointing plate of mutton Detailed and wide-reaching ... this is a lot more than trivia ... an enjoyable, cultural and cultured tome -- John Lloyd * The Bookbag * Eclectic ... He brings abstraction to vibrant life. Full of interest and learning lightly worn, this is an admirable and entertaining book. -- Ross Leckie * Country Life *
More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
40 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 184 mm
Width: 120 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
307 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78125-099-0 (9781781250990)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Barnaby Rogerson
Rogerson's Book of Numbers
The culture of numbers from 1001 Nights to the Seven Wonders of the World
E-Book
11/2013
1st Edition
Profile Books Ltd
from
€13.39
Available for download
Person
Barnaby Rogerson is an author, publisher and journalist. Together with his partner Rose Baring, he runs Eland Publishing, which specializes in keeping the classics of travel literature in print. He has also written dozens of travel articles, book reviews and historical essays on various North African and Islamic themes, for Vanity Fair, Cornucopia, Conde Nast Traveller, Geographical, Traveller, Guardian, Independent, Telegraph, House & Garden, Harpers & Queen and the TLS.