Around the World in Eighty Games, Marcus du Sautoy
Around the World in Eighty Games, Marcus du Sautoy
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Around the World in Eighty Games
From Tarot to Tic-Tac-Toe, Catan to Chutes and Ladders, a Mathematician Unlocks the Secrets of the World's Greatest Games

Author: Marcus du Sautoy

Narrator: Mark Elstob

Unabridged: 12 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 11/07/2023

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

“A delightful global tour of how humans think and play, led by one of our finest mathematical storytellers.” — Ben Orlin, author of Math Games with Bad Drawings

Where should you move first in Connect 4? What is the best property in Monopoly? And how can pi help you win rock paper scissors?

Spanning millennia, oceans and continents, countries and cultures, Around the World in Eighty Games gleefully explores how mathematics and games have always been deeply intertwined. Renowned mathematician Marcus du Sautoy investigates how games provided the first opportunities for deep mathematical insight into the world, how understanding math can help us play games better, and how both math and games are integral to human psychology and culture.

For as long as there have been people, there have been games, and for nearly as long, we have been exploring and discovering mathematics. A grand adventure, Around the World in Eighty Games teaches us not just how games are won, but how they, and their math, shape who we are.  
 

About Marcus du Sautoy

Marcus du Sautoy is the Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and professor of mathematics at the University of Oxford and the bestselling author of The Music of the Primes, Symmetry, and The Great Unknown. A trumpeter and member of an experimental theater group, he has written and presented over a dozen documentaries, including The Code and The Secret Rules of Modern Living: Algorithms. He also created the codes for Lauren Child’s Ruby Redfort mysteries. He has received the Berwick Prize, the Zeeman Medal, and the Royal Society’s Michael Faraday Prize, among other honors.

Reviews

Goodreads review by George on February 01, 2024

A rather charming trip around the world of games. This book covers the history and cultural importance of many of the games from around the world all the way from the Royal Game of Ur to the Settlers of Catan with special care to cover the most important games from every continent. You could say tha......more

Goodreads review by Laura on January 07, 2024

I *love* maths and I *love* games. I went to a book signing Marcus did for this book and I absolutely loved his talk. Funny, engaging, interesting - I would definitely go and see him speak again. This book was certainly interesting, and I learnt loads of fascinating titbits of information, but i mus......more

Goodreads review by Olivia on November 12, 2023

fun! but not enough math, not enough game theory.......more

Goodreads review by Adelyne on September 24, 2024

5 stars. I loved this tour-de-force of different games played around the world. This does not appear to be popular opinion, and I understand the criticisms that others are alluding to, but I had so much fun reading this that I'm prepared to ignore those downsides. Going on the keepers shelf because I......more

Quotes

"Marcus du Sautoy’s brilliantly clear and captivating prose manages to bring to life the drama of so many different games. With the lightest of touches du Sautoy manages persuasively to show how games are both narratives that speak about us and structures whose ideas underlie everything in our known universe. And on top of it, the book serves as an absolutely indispensable compendium. Rainy weekends in Cornwall will now be welcomed."—Stephen Fry, actor

"Maths is fun? Who knew? Certainly not me when I was growing up, but I think I’d have got on differently had I been handed a copy of Marcus du Sautoy’s book."—Prospect Magazine

“An engrossing tour… delivered in refreshingly simple and consistently entertaining terms.”—Kirkus (Starred)

“This meticulous and deeply researched survey will appeal to math-lovers and history buffs alike.”—Publisher's Weekly

“The book encapsulates the very essence of human ingenuity and our intrinsic love for play and exploration. You do not need to be a seasoned player nor a skilled mathematician to relish in this enchanting read. However, this book may just encourage you to become the one or the other.”—Reiner Knizia, award-winning game designer

“In this book, you will learn beautiful facts about games you have enjoyed all your life as well as games you have never played but can provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Written by mathematician Marcus du Sautoy, this book can be appreciated by game players of all mathematical backgrounds. Highly recommended!”—Arthur T. Benjamin, professor of mathematics and author of The Magic of Math

“A delightful global tour of how humans think and play, led by one of our finest mathematical storytellers.”—Ben Orlin, author of Math Games with Bad Drawings

"Whether your game is Go, Dungeons and Dragons, or Chocolate Chilli Roulette, you’ll find this book adorable. It’s lively, creative and humane – exactly as one would expect from Marcus du Sautoy"—Tim Hartford, author of How to Make the World Add Up

"A delightful and addictive celebration of games. You’ll keep wanting one more go"—Dara Ó Briain, comedian

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