Rating: 
Summary: Good for Amusement
Review: This little book tells us in a cheerful manner about the history and snippets of the number pi, the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Many facts and factoids about pi are collected here. There are some equations, but those who don't like equations can appreciate them like beautiful illustrations.In the section "Memorizing Pi" the author gives mnemonic devices in different languages. The description of one in Japanese includes errors. In fact, there is a better one in Japanese, which goes: "San-i-shi (314) i-ko-ku (159) ni (2) mu-ko (65). San-go (35) ya-ku (89) na-ku (79) . . ." down to the 1000th digit in a version. These Japanese words mean: "An obstetrician goes to a foreign country. After childbirth, without misfortune . . ." The present reviewer told the author about the errors and the better mnemonic, so that he will possibly take them into account in the revised edition. Aside from the above minor defects, however, the present edition is quite a good read for amusement.
Rating: 
Summary: A little too easy
Review: Though the subject is very attractive, but i think it's too easy for a normal-educated person who loves maths or natural science. If you want tp buy a book of this kind, "the history of pi" will do.
Rating: 
Summary: Pi ain't square
Review: What a delightful book: exemplary in its depth, and fascinating in the writing. As an undergraduate math major, I have been in love with numbers, the lore of numbers, and the history of numbers, and this easy to read but tantalizing in its depth, shows that my passion has not been in vein. I particularly enjoyed the psychology of the pi seekers. It is almost too good for its audience, and should be enjoyed by all ages at all levels. The description of the savants who memorize thousands of digits is memorable. To think of a billion digits without a repeat or a pattern gives me awe. Yet the concept is so simple as to be obvious. I intend to give this to my granddaughter when she turns six.
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