Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful, clear, comforting
Review: I liked this book for several reasons. I enjoyed the historical insights about how mathematicians approach such a devilishly hard problem. The math itself is fascinating, with surprises at many turns. (How can there be numerical patterns like this? It's mind-bending.) But also, the writing itself and the organization of the material is lovely. The author takes great pains to lead and motivate readers whose patience might wear thin because they don't quite know enough Analysis. I enjoyed reading this along with the books by Sabbagh and the book by Devlin on the Millenium problems. It think it's wonderful that a math book like this can be a "page-turner."
Rating: 
Summary: Well written, good "overview"
Review: From those reviewers who didn't rate this well (there were only a few), two reasons are clear: not enough math, or too much math. This is not a math book, it is a book about a math problem and the people who've tried to solve it. If you want the deep mathematics, pick up a college-level text on the subject. For those who thought there was too much math (or that the math was too difficult), give up your dream as a recreational mathematician because if you couldn't grasp what Derbyshire included in the math chapters you won't ever understand higher mathematics. That's just the way it is, mathematics is not for everyone. I think the book was written well, and the history of the key players made the story much more interesting. I admit, I too wanted more of the deeper mathematics, but Derbyshire set out to make the story interesting to the lay-person and I think he did a fine job. As a non-mathematician with a passion for math, I think he covered the subject well as an introduction to the RH. Sure there were lots of holes that could have been covered, but that would have led to a voluminous work on the level of graduate study. If Derbyshire's book inspires one young person who isn't sure of the path to take in the future, then I think it is worthy of some of the finest publications. Isn't that what its all about, anyway?
Rating:
Summary: What a cool mathbook!
Review: The book is written to present the math of the Riemann Hypothesis in the odd chapters and the history in the even ones. I figured I'd skip the history. But, after the first couple of sentences into the past I was sucked in. I looked forward to reading it each night and lost sleep from not putting it down. My level of math is low but the author made me feel like a professor as he took me farther into the dark corners of this hypothesis. I feel like such a geek, but in such a good way. It was like a Peter Pan ride through all the higher mathematics. A ride I could never have taken on my own. I now daydream about becoming a mathematician... ...the one that solves it. :-) Thank you John Derbyshire, you wrote a great book!
Rating:
Summary: Good read
Review: A well-written book on an interesting subject. You can read the book free online here: http://www.nap.edu/books/0309085497/html/
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever about math
Review: I have enjoyed many books about mathematics and related topics. My favorite ones celebrate the beauty of mathematical ideas, place those ideas in a context that makes them even more interesting, and make for pleasant reading because of the author's writing skills. Previous favorites include "Godel, Escher Bach" and "A Tour of the Calculus." John Derbyshire's book is excellent in so many ways that I declare it the best book ever about math. Its main value to people who share an interest in this subject is the wealth of mathematical ideas presented. I came to this book with several college math courses under my belt and years of informal reading on the subject, yet learned much that was new to me. This is partly due to the subject matter, because the Riemann hypothesis touches on many different areas of mathematics. Derbyshire explains each topic in clear language that assumes little knowledge, yet never talks down to the reader. He seizes every opportunity to enrich us with ideas we may not have encountered. OK, you know about i, the square root of negative one. But do you know about the square root of i? Did you know you can use i as an exponent (raise x to the power of i)? Not I! A fair amount of the book is devoted to the historical context. We learn something of university life in 19th century Europe, and how mathematics flourished and waned in different parts of the continent. The author is equally adept with this subject matter, spicing the story with interesting details while giving us a feel for the man behind the Riemann hypothesis, and an acquaintance with the other great mathematicians of the time. Derbyshire is erudite without being pedantic; if a book about math can be called charming, this would be the one. Above all, the author's zest for the subject comes through in informal but elegant writing. It's simply a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Best Math History Book
Review: Why is one number prime and another not? If you believe there is a finite possibility that you, yourself, might someday find the answer to this question, then you will find more than half of this book to be utterly fascinating. The book's chapters alternate between the mathmatical history of the Reimann Hypothesis and the personal history of Reimann himself. I found the personal history only mildly interesting, if only because Reimann was outwardly such a dull guy.
Rating:
Summary: A Clear and concise expose of the Riemann Hypothesis
Review: I've read a number of books lately about the Riemann Hypotheis. The author of "Prime Obsession" attempts and succeds in weaving very difficult mathematics in clear form with the historical context of the RH. He took a daring approach of trying to show the vital details of the problem in a form that is understandable to an audience that may not have the tools to understand the core of hypothesis. I think he did a wonderful job of doing it. It asks the reader to just pay attention and that's all any reader can do with this facinating story and problem
Rating:
Summary: Thank you John Derbyshire!
Review: This writer knows the kind of questions that cause hang-ups for me and answers them even as they come to my mind. What a great teacher he must be! The best popularizer of a difficult subject that I have encountered. Thank you thank you.
Rating:
Summary: This book kicks ass
Review: Riemann was interesting, Derbyshire makes him more so. The math is interesting, Derbyshire makes it clear. All hail JD!
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary book
Review: This Is The Book. Oh no, this is not a book, this is a jewel!
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