Adam Spencer's Time Machine

by Adam Spencer

Starting with the Big Bang and ending in the present day, Australia's favourite mathematician is back with a wild ride through the ages.

Did you know that some of the earliest astronomers were Indigenous Australians? Or that Lord Byron's daughter, Ada Lovelace, was a pioneer of computer programming...despite dying in 1852? Can you believe that pinball was actually illegal across much of the US until the 1970s? And who or what is the Witch of Agnesi?

All this and more is in Adam Spencer's Time Machine. Jam-packed with fascinating facts, quizzes, anecdotes and trivia, this full-colour geek's guide is the perfect companion for curious minds.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History, Mathematics

430 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2016

Reviews

[Mark White · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a book you can sit down and read, or at least I couldn't. It's a huge collection of mathematical trivia and random fun facts from history arranged in chronological order. The fun facts you could probably find anywhere but the mathematical trivia are fairly unique - there aren't that many radio hosts with a degree in mathematics.

The problem (or the advantage) is that there are an awful lot of these snippets in the book. Combined with the forced jollity and dad jokes, it means you won't get through a big fraction of it before you groan and drop it for a while. So probably best to just dip into it from time to time.

[D.W. Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved about this book was the anecdotal collection of historical factoids. Much of the math was beyond me, but even in short bursts the historical storytelling and humour were woven together in a totally engaging way.

[Dragan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice easy to read fact book. With some interesting facts inside. Didn’t enjoy the forced humour with the puns and bad jokes tho but it’s a relaxing book

[Lindsey Schuster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great read! I enjoyed reading this book on my porch over the last few weeks. I highly reccomend.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

Adam has a way with words (and numbers) and this is pure fun to read & enjoy.

[St Stephen's C C]

Starting with the big bang and ending in the present day (with a few glimpses of the future for good measure) Time Machine is a history book unlike any other. Jam-packed with quotes, quizzes, anecdotes and trivia, Adam’s latest book is a full-colour treasure trove for ages 8... all the way to 108.
Did you know that some of the earliest mathematicians and astronomers were indigenous Australians? Or that Lord Byron’s daughter, Ada Lovelace, was a pioneer of computer programming... despite dying in 1852? Can you believe that pinball was actually illegal across much of the US until the 1970s? Will time travel ever be possible? And who (or what) is the Witch of Agnesi?