Recommended Reading: Zero

Learn about the history of a world changing idea in Charles Seife's book Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea. By book's end, no reader will dispute Seife's claim that zero is among the most fertile--and therefore most dangerous--ideas that humanity has devised. Equally powerful and dangerous is its inseparable counterpart, infinity, for both it and zero invoke to many the divine power that created an infinite universe from the void. The power of zero lies in such a contradiction, and civilization has struggled with it, alternatively seeking to ban and to embrace zero and infinity. The clash has led to holy wars and persecutions, philosophical disputes and profound scientific discoveries. It's a deep idea, but the tone is light and lively, and even includes mathematical cleverness such as a proof that Winston Churchill is equal to a carrot.