The Loom of God: Tapestries of Mathematics and Mysticism

by Clifford A. Pickover

From the mysterious cult of Pythagoras to the awesome mechanics of Stonehenge to the “gargoyles” and fractals on today’s computers, mathematics has always been a powerful, even divine force in the world. In a lively, intelligent synthesis of math, mysticism, and science fiction, Clifford Pickover explains the eternal magic of numbers. Taking a uniquely humorous approach, he appoints readers “Chief Historian” of an intergalactic museum and sends them, along with a quirky cast of characters, hurtling through the ages to explore how individuals used numbers for such purposes as predicting the end of the world, finding love, and winning wars.

 

Genres: Science, Mathematics, Nonfiction, Philosophy

540 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 1997

About the author

Clifford Alan Pickover is an American author, editor, and columnist in the fields of science, mathematics, science fiction, innovation, and creativity. For many years, he was employed at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown, New York, where he was editor-in-chief of the IBM Journal of Research and Development. He has been granted more than 700 U.S. patents, is an elected Fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and is author of more than 50 books, translated into more than a dozen languages.

Reviews

[Frank Davis]

Pretty rare for me to DNF but I made that awful decision today. Not gonna give it a star rating or add it to my count, but here's my feelings in brief. Frankly, I'm disappointed that this didn't go well for me. Here we have something which in design, is a book that I've been craving for many, many years. A fictional story with mathematics as the main plot driver. But in my opinion this piece is too erratic and attempts to combine too many styles.

It is part historical account, part mathematical encyclopedia and part time-travel scifi story.

The scifi story initially appealed greatly to me but it quickly became a pointless bore. You are time travelling with an alien back to meet the Pythagoreans. For some reason your alien pal regularly blurts out his surprise in French, "Mon Dieu!" Then as you make exceedingly obvious time travel blunders, like leaving a modern laptop in an ancient temple, changes to the timeline emerge starting with people having 6 fingers on each hand which is casually described as a "subtle difference." When you're eventually discovered by Pythagoras' wife, she joins in your adventures and you wind up fomenting a love affair in the most pedestrian manner. It's about this much that I could possibly bear, but it piles on with unstimulating dialogue and lazy plotting.

The mathematical marvels presented are fascinating in their own right, but seem to emerge from no where at all. Like stream of consciousness thoughts inside a maths major's head on exam day. This amounts to many lists of numbers which should excite even the most stolid emotion-suppressing Vulcan. For someone who has their text-to-speech reader set at 125% normal speed this was slightly maddening.

And finally the historical asides that felt like appendices attached to every single feature of the story. I'm not a proper critic, y'all recognise that, but much like how someone who is good at something doesn't often need to say that aloud, I think perhaps a clever book with great references shouldn't need to point out that they were included. For Eg.: By the way there is a species known as the Vulcans who suppress their emotions in a fictional series called Star Trek. The Vulcans are portrayed as having great respect for mathematics which is why they were referenced in such a manner in the previous paragraph of this review.

Well, I read many nice words about the author before I got started. Of course, most of those were inside the book or on its cover. I wasn't familiar with the author's name but it seems as though he may be a considerable populariser of science education. Australia has a Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki who I guess may be comparable. I'm all for it, hugely for it in fact, bring science to the people! But it just isn't my cuppa.

I guess in conclusion, don't take my word for it, try it yourself.

[Amanda Pearl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unforgettable adventure into the mind, and the mysteries that marry mathematics and mysticism. I enjoyed the dichotomy of historical fiction and the science behind the stories, as well as the engaging tone of the author, from his anecdotes and prose to the web he weaves through the history of humanity. Would recommend to anyone with an interest in either or both topics!

[Owen Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blends science fiction with science fact in a very entertaining and enlightening way while describing the mysteries of the universe. An excellent reading experience that will expand your mind and entertain you in equal measure. Don't neglect this one!

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find it illuminating on many levels. Explains some questions.

[Dali · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Clifford A. Pickover made a story connect to multiple Sci-Fi scenes was truly impeccable, such a heavy topic with amazing storytelling.

[Guru · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theomatics - maths + theology. As with most books by Pickover, there is a lot of math trivia, tricks and puzzles. I found the whole time-travelling self fictional plot quite tiring. Still some enjoyable nuggets in there.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clifford Pickover's writing style is more like a jazz improv than like a stodgy scientific treatise. His eclectic techniques make his works both intriguing and, yes, occasionally infuriating, but reading Pickover is always ultimately fun and enriching.

[Shayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOL....

[Steve]

The title comes from a line on p.27 of Pynchon's Gravity's Rainbow.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book.