Zero. The biography of a dangerous idea, Charles Seife (ISBN 978-0285635944, Souvenir Press Ltd)

A little book from 2000 about the history of the number zero and the linked concepts of void and infinity. It explains how Greek philosophy struggled with the void and the concept of zero and how then later on prevailing Aristotelian philosophy in the Middle Ages in Europe retarded in the introduction and use of zero in society. This aspect wasn’t known to me. The book gives a nice explanation of how the absence of zero and the infinitesimally small gave rise to the paradox of Zeno. It then goes on to more modern times where zero and the infinitesimally small in analysis lead to all kinds of difficulties that were only solved with the concept of limits and rigorous treatments by the likes of Weierstrass. This is something that is better/in more detail covered in many other books dealing with the history of mathematics. I find this book a bit of a mixed bag. It has some good parts and some that are less satisfying for me personally. But it is only roughly 250 pages and well written so it will not take you much time. Only for those really interested in zero I would say. Much of it is covered in other books about the history of mathematics. I did personally got a couple of insights out of it so I don’t regret having read it but I don’t consider this a must read.