Table of Contents

Introduction; Number and number systems; The heritage of the Pythagoreans; Gnosis and Cabala; Islamic mysticism; Medieval and baroque number symbolism; Superstitions; Number games and magic squares; Little dictionary of numbers; Bibliography; Illustration credits.

About the Author

Annemarie Schimmel is Professor of Indo-Muslim Culture at Harvard University. A widely-respected scholar of the Near East, she has written numerous books on Islamic literature, religion, and culture.

Reviews

"An impressive, intriguing, most scholarly history."--The Key Reporter, (Phi Beta Kappa)
"A delightful cross-cultural romp through the history of number mysticism....By the time you finish this entertaining yet scholarly book, you'll not only be in seventh heaven, you'll understand why."--The New York Times Book Review
"A mine of fact, legend, superstition, history and etymology....Well-designed....Great riches in Schimmel's book." --Canberra Times

"An impressive, intriguing, most scholarly history."--The Key Reporter, (Phi Beta Kappa) "A delightful cross-cultural romp through the history of number mysticism....By the time you finish this entertaining yet scholarly book, you'll not only be in seventh heaven, you'll understand why."--The New York Times Book Review "A mine of fact, legend, superstition, history and etymology....Well-designed....Great riches in Schimmel's book." --Canberra Times