Four colours and one zero

Abstract

Perhaps inspired by Simon Singh's excellent popular treatment of the proof of Fermat's last theorem, these books offer accounts – also aimed at the general reader – of two of the other classical problems in mathematics. Robin Wilson is a professional mathematician who teaches in the Open University. Karl Sabbagh is a writer and journalist with no professional mathematical qualification; however, he finds that “mathematics books – even those written at a level far above my comprehension – have an irresistible appeal”. Most physicists are likely to find Wilson's account of the four-colour theorem more mathematically satisfying than Sabbagh's discussion of the Riemann hypothesis, but they may nevertheless find both to be entertaining reads.