The Golden Ratio: The Story of Phi, the World's Most Astonishing Number

Interested in the number, not religion

As an aspiring mathematician, I've been reading pretty much any book I can grab at the book store that has to do with mathematics. Phi is a number that has caught my attention before, and I was looking for a thorough look at different places where the number crops up. I was not, however, looking for any sort of religious discussion. I wish I had known before I bought the book that the word 'God' frequently cropped up in the book. If I had known, I probably would not have bought it. I was looking for a book of mathematics, not speculation into whether god is a mathematician. If that sort of discussion interests you, perhaps you'd like the book. However, if you are like me, hopefully you will not waste your money on it get it from the library or find another book about phi.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

GREAT BOOK

This was the best math book I have every read. It explains in detail the history of the golden ratio and the people that contributed in discovering this powerful number, some not even knowing of their contributions.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

High-Phi Reading!

This is a great book that discusses the many true, not so true, and untrue claims about the golden ratio, written especially for those who may be exploring this numerical phenomenon for the first time. The author provides a good mix of historical and mathematical reviews, placing the famed ratio more correctly within its proper context. Those interested in studying the golden ratio further will find the author's suggested reading list a wonderful place to start. The reading style is fresh and not overly difficult, and the author has wisely placed detailed mathematical discussions in an ample appendix.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Who knew a book about a number could be so interesting?

In this book, Mario Livio writing on a popular level explores the history of the so-called golden ratio (also known as "the divine proportion" or "phi"). This ratio is alleged to appears frequently in both nature and art. Livio has obviously done a lot a research and does not approach the subject with the almost fanatical attitude that many "golden numbrists" have. While the golden ratio may not be quite as widespread as some enthusiasts would have you believe, it is certainly a fascinating number that almost seems to be part of God's fingerprint on the universe. Who knew a book about a number could be so interesting?

Golden Ratio - Calling all Math Connoisseurs

I read Mario Livio's "Is God a Mathematician?" and I absolutely loved it. Given, I'm a Math lover and I actually have a stomach for things like differential equations... But that didn't matter. It was just plain GOOD.

Mario Livio's Golden Ratio was no worse. It deals with the magical number Phi (not Pi) which was defined by Euclid as a line divided into extreme and mean ratio.

Livio details some phenomanally interesting geometrical implications of the Golden Ratio and sets out to dispell common misconceptions of the Golden Ratio appearing in great works like the Pyramids and the Parthenon.

What is interesting to me is that so many people in history have spent time trying to understand Phi. From Euclid to the Pythagoreans and beyond, this magical number has perplexed us. Mario gives us a splendid account of Phi's evolution in time.

Livio doesn't write in a dry Math textbook way. He captivates the reader with colorful bits and pieces of history which keep you flipping the pages.

I highly recommend this book to any Math enthusiast.

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