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Rating: 
Summary: Amazing, objective research scores an A!
Review: Fascinating. That's the word I've been using to describe this book. From the information on numerical experiments with animals to the solid evidence presented for the hardwired concept of numbers from birth, the author ties together an amazing work.The clear organization of the book, described from the onset, was my first clue that this was a bit more polished than other works. From a gradual examination of an innate "number sense" in even lower animals, through babies identifiying that 1+1 is not 1 or 3 but 2, up to the examination of innate calculatory facilities, this book covers it all. By the end, you will have been presented with practically all the evidence you need to make your own conclusion--and the case for the existance of the "number sense" is incredible. Psychology and neurology are both linked to the examination. As a math teacher, I've even gleaned a few points to help in the presentation of the topic to my students. While I don't agree with all of the authors views on education, I do think he made some very profound points (the comment that standardized education has probably stunted natural development ofthe culture--specifically language--is a good example.) Probably my only real disappointment with the book is the author's overemphasis on evolution throughout the text. Yes, most technical types unfortunately seem to be passionate about evolution's role in everything nowadays; it wouldn't have been that big a deal had the last few pages of the book not delved wholeheartedly into a philosophical expository of how mathematicians of the past were silly to have attributed the apparent design of the mind to match the universe numerically to a God, when evolution is an available alternative. However, this small distasteful thread didn't really detract from the research. (In fact, in practically all other maters the author is refreshingly objective and unbiased, examining counterpoints to his theories and conclusions.) In all, the book still earns its five stars for rigor, fascinating material, objective examination, and clear presentation. Well worth the read, well worth the purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: Enlightening
Review: I have not yet finished Stanislas Dahaene's excellent book "The Number Sense". But I would like to add an observation on chapter 4. The author discusses many studies which show that persons whose native language uses number names stemming from Chinese, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, can remember much longer strings of numbers, on average, than speakers of such western languages as English or French. He attributes this to the shorter length of the spoken names of the numbers in the eastern languages. However, another important factor in Japanese, at least, must be the ease with which meaningful mnemonics can be made. Japanese effectively has three different ways to name each digit. One stems from Chinese (ichi, ni, san, shi, go, roku, shichi, hachi, kyuu, juu), another is the native Japanese counting system predating Chinese influence (hitotsu, futatsu, mitsu,yotsu,itsutsu,mutsu,nanatsu,yatsu,kokonotus,too) and the third is from English (wan, tsuu, suree, foah, etc.). The digit zero can be named as "oh" from the English letter "O", or "ma" from "maru" meaning circle, etc. It is almost always possible to make an easily remembered mnemonic. This way commercial telephone numbers are made easier to remember in advertisements. (Japanese telephones have only digits on the buttons, no added letters.) Telephone numbers for pet shops and veterinarians often have pairs of ones, "11". Because "wan wan" is the Japanese equivelant of "arf arf". The dentist downstairs in my building uses the number "1818" because "ii ha, ii ha" means "good tooth good tooth". Mr. Dehaene does not make it clear whether studies have been done attempting to measure number memory span, isolated from the effect of mnemonics. If this could be done I would be very interested in learning of the results. As of the end of seven of nine chapters, I say this is a very well written, and extremely interesting book. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Can't say enough good things about this wonderful book!
Review: I immediately gave this book a glance-through upon seeing the title. The resemblance to Steven Pinker's 'The Language Instinct' and his quote at the bottom hooked me, and the inside didn't disappoint. A lot of people have written books questioning why we don't understand math; here's someone who wonders why we do. Regarding the part about memorization - I assume that the numbers shown to the test subjects were our European numerals in all cases. I wonder what would happen if Chinese digits were used -- they all look distinct, in comparison to, say, our ambiguous 6 and 9, which can be confusing (ever see "1 2 3 4 5 SIX 7 8 NINE" on a gambling table to avoid this?). Can people recognize Chinese digits faster? (And Ronald, I too immediately formed a Japanese mnemonic upon seeing the string of digits in that chapter. Unconsciously, in fact. The five/nine ambiguity disappeared!) One quibble is that Dehaene seems to fall into the trap that many people - mathematicians included - blindly accept as fact; the idea that the European numerals that we use every day are superior to anything else. 'It's hard to see how they could be improved upon', he says, (or something to that effect - I'm doing this from memory). Arabic numerals (by which I mean those used by Arabic-speaking people, not the European variations that 'we' use) have the advantage of all being written without lifting your pen, and Chinese digits, for which trying to distinguish between, say, "160" and "180" in very small print is no problem. When you think about it, any place-value system with a zero is equally effective regardless of the forms of the numerals. All in all a fascinating and informative look at a subject that's been largely neglected; at least in the popular press. Well worth reading. Does Dehaene have another book in the works? (Recommendations from me? 'The Great Mental Calculators' by Steven Smith, which is tough to find, 'Innumeracy' by John Allen Paulos, and most of all 'From One to Zero/The Universal History of Numbers' by Georges Ifrah. All fantastic.)
Rating:
Summary: Quality science, excellent entertainment
Review: I received this book as a gift. I skimmed it and left it unread for months. I thought it was a cash-in on Steven Pinker's excellent The Language Instinct. But no! When I finally read it was as impressed with Dehaene's science as with his literary flair - not to mention the excellence of his self-translation. His thesis is fascinating, his references authoratitive and his story telling masterful. This book should fascinate everyone who can count up to two or beyond. Dry it is not. Beyond the interest he develops in the subject are the insights he gives into the ingenuity with which psychological experiments can be designed to eliminate the flaws that a layperson would think unavoidable. There is a darker side, however. Like that other fellow with his lethal experiments with chicks to test for chemical changes relating to memory, there are allusions to intrusive experiments on living subjects . True, these were some time ago and Dehaene exhibits a proper degree of unease about them. None the less I am much more comfortable with the ingenious ape and baby tests. In my view, no matter how intriguing the question, and how beguiling arguments of research potential leading to new therapies, there is a line that should not be crossed. Dehaene, I'm glad to say, seems aware enough not to cross it. Fascinating. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Quality science, excellent entertainment
Review: I received this book as a gift. I skimmed it and left it unread for months. I thought it was a cash-in on Steven Pinker's excellent The Language Instinct. But no! When I finally read it was as impressed with Dehaene's science as with his literary flair - not to mention the excellence of his self-translation. His thesis is fascinating, his references authoratitive and his story telling masterful. This book should fascinate everyone who can count up to two or beyond. Dry it is not. Beyond the interest he develops in the subject are the insights he gives into the ingenuity with which psychological experiments can be designed to eliminate the flaws that a layperson would think unavoidable. There is a darker side, however. Like that other fellow with his lethal experiments with chicks to test for chemical changes relating to memory, there are allusions to intrusive experiments on living subjects . True, these were some time ago and Dehaene exhibits a proper degree of unease about them. None the less I am much more comfortable with the ingenious ape and baby tests. In my view, no matter how intriguing the question, and how beguiling arguments of research potential leading to new therapies, there is a line that should not be crossed. Dehaene, I'm glad to say, seems aware enough not to cross it. Fascinating. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Can't say enough good things about this wonderful book!
Review: If you are interested in mathematics, psychology, neuroscience / cognitive science, biology, linguistics, and/or all of the above, you will love this book. Don't get me wrong, not only is this book for those with technical interests but is well written enough and accessible enough for even laymen to get into. Read this great book!
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