Rogerson's Book Of Numbers: A Miscellany Of Numbers From 3 Wise Monkeys To The 540 Gates Of Valhalla

Description

'Rogerson's Book of Numbers' is a deceptively simple list of virtues, spiritual attributes, gods, devils, sacred cities, dominions, powers, heroes, saints and symbols. It provides a dazzling mass of information for those intrigued by the many roles numbers play - not only in mathematics and science, but also in poetry, in the hierarchies of heaven and hell and in the many religions, cultures and belief systems of our world. From the nine choirs of angels and the nine muses to the 12 livery companies of the City of London and the 12 labours of Hercules, discover the numerical bindings which hold our world together - and why exactly 13 is so unlucky.

Reviews

"'Ill-killed Ill-quartered Ill-cooked Ill-seasoned Ill-served' (Samuel Johnson's five-fold malediction of a dissappointing plate of mutton)"

Author description

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.