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Book ReviewsDana MackenzieThe Universe in Zero WordsThe story of mathematics as toldthrough equationsPrinceton University Press, 2012224 p.ISBN print 978-0-691-15282-0ISBN e-book 978-1-400-84168-4Reviewer: Yuriy V. Rogovchenko (Kristiansand)The Newsletter thanks Zentralblatt MATH and Yuriy V.Rogovchenko for the permission to republish this review,originally appeared as Zbl 1273.00014.This nice book invites readers to explore the beauty ofthe most influential mathematical equations. Dr. DanaMackenzie, who became a full-time writer after being amathematics professor for thirteen years, writes in theintroduction: “Equations are the lifeblood of mathematicsand science. They are the brush strokes that mathematiciansuse to create their art, or the secret codethat they use to express their ideas about the universe.The rest of the world, outside of science, does not speakthe language of equations, and thus a vast cultural gaphas emerged between those who understand them andthose who do not. This book is an attempt to build abridge across that chasm. It is intended for the readerwho would like to understand mathematics on its ownterms, and who would like to appreciate mathematics asan art.”Although mathematics has numerous branches, allknown for their beauty, significance, and abundance ofimportant equations, the author decided to limit his selectiononly to four. “I consider the four main tributariesof mathematics to be algebra, geometry, applied mathematics,and analysis. All four of them mingle togetherand cooperate in a most wonderful way, and witnessingthis interaction is one of the great joys of being a mathematician.Nearly every mathematician finds himselfdrawn more to one of these tributaries than the others,but the beauty and power of the subject undoubtedlyderives from all four. For that reason, the four chaptersin this book each have a theme, or “storyline” runningthroughout, relating the evolution of the four branchesover the ages.” This book tells the story of twenty fourbeautiful and powerful equations that may be regardedas milestones in the development of mathematics, scienceand society.Recently, I had a pleasure of reviewing another nicebook by Professor Stewart [I. Stewart, Seventeen equationsthat changed the world. London: Profile Books]where the stories of some equations discussed in thisvolume can be found. It was really interesting to comparethe selection of equations by two authors. As Dr.Mackenzie explains, “the choice of equations was necessarilya matter of individual taste and preference.” Someof criteria he used “to decide what makes an equationgreat” are listed below.“1. It is surprising. […] [It] tells us something thatwe did not know before. 2. It is concise. […] It containsnothing but the essentials. 3. It is consequential. […] Theequations that make the deepest impression are the onesthat revolutionize mathematics, change our view of theworld, or change the material possibilities of our lives. 4.It is universal. […] An equation proven today will remaintrue forever.”Equations picked for this volume range from elementary,1 + 1 = 2 known to preschoolers, to inspirational Fermat’slast theorem x n + y n = z n still fascinating thousandsof amateurs, to exquisitely sophisticated Chern-Gauss-Bonnet equation ∫ Pf (Ω) 2π n χ() that allows to deduceinformation about the shape of the universe if the curvatureat each point is given. The book is written in avery transparent and elegant manner; it is both enjoyableand informative reading. The reader will absolutelylove exciting historical facts and excellent illustrations,diagrams, pictures carefully selected by the author. Thevolume concludes with a useful bibliography and a helpfulindex. A very entertaining text that appeals not onlyto mathematics enthusiasts, but also to a wide audiencewith a quite limited mathematical background.Yuriy Rogovchenko received his Ph.D.in Differential Equations from the Instituteof Mathematics, National Academyof Sciences of the Ukraine, in 1987. Heheld professor’s positions at the EasternMediterranean University, North Cyprus,University of Kalmar, Sweden and UmeåUniversity, Sweden. Since August 2012, Dr. Rogovchenkois Professor of Mathematics at the University of Agder,Norway. His research interests lie within qualitative theoryof ordinary, functional, and impulsive differential equations,perturbation methods, mathematical modeling inbiology, social sciences and economics. Dr. Rogovchenkowas nominated a distinguished reviewer of ZentralblattMATH in 2009 and received a Certificate of Recognitionfrom the President and CEO of FIZ Karlsruhe SabineBrünger-Weilandt and the President of the EuropeanMathematical Society Ari Laptev.EMS Newsletter June 2014 57