The Arithmetic of Life and Death

by George Shaffner

Book Overview

Whether you realize it or not, numbers are everywhere--and integral to almost every facet of your life . . . from your next raise in pay to the inevitable rise of inflation, your weekly family budget to your end of the national debt. And as George Shaffner amazingly reveals, there are discerning answers (and a great measure of comfort) in numbers. In The Arithmetic of Life, he applies the basic principles of mathematics--addition, subtraction, multiplication,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345426452
• ISBN13: 9780345426451
• Release Date: May 2001
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Answers Questions At the Rim of Your Thinking.

This excellent book answers several questions that I have always wondered about - but never knew how to approach them. It also provideds support for issues I feel strongly about but did not understand why. It clarifies why some counter intuitive actions may be so effective. Finally it provides support to those of us working with young adults on how and why to take the proper long term actions. He hints at why rapidly finishing high school and college will provide much more income over the long run. Math is really only a small building block in this book. No advanced math is required, just addition and averaging. The math is a tool - a simple effective one at that- and nothing more. The main focus is providing solutions to issues one feels strongly about but does not have a clue on how to attack them. This book has also reminded me of a few ways I better improve myself. I stick to the speed limit and no longer tailgate!!!!!I just wish Mr. Shaffner would write another book!!!!!

It's for you if . . .

This book is for you if you have teenage children, or a day job, or grandparents, or if you wonder why the deck seems to be stacked against you more often than not. This book is not for you if you expect eloquent mathematical proofs, theorems, corollaries and the like. I especially appreciated the chapter about congressional pork barrel spending. It provides an excellent example of Mr. Shaffner's ability to use simple arithmetic to demonstrate startling realities. A hint - the national debt would not have been a topic in the State of the Union address if more citizens were aware of this application of simple arithmetic. Net/net: If your life is real, read this book. It's more than mildly thought provoking and quite entertaining. If you make your living with mathematics at the calculus level or above, get something else.

Quantify Everything

If more math teachers saw the world the way that George Shaffner does, fewer students would whither away from boredom in the classroom. In The Arithmetic of Life, There are 40 excellent real-world scenarios designed to engage the reader in authentic mathematical thinking. Further, it is a wonderful book for those who want to learn to use numbers to their daily advantage. This book should be on every math teacher's bookshelf; young people would greatly benefit from the content and approach.

GREAT BOOK, GREAT GIFT!

The "Arithmetic of Life" is a witty, intriguing, logical, and at times, powerful book. The subjects about which Mr. Shaffner writes apply to the young and old, rich and poor, and to people with and without integrity.It is an easy and pleasant read, and should be a must for everyone who is interested in the odds and value of life and the world in which we live.His unconventional theories are quite intriguing, and his humor throughout keeps the book quite lighthearted.My favorite chapters were: "The Value of Education", "The Case for Smoking", "Investing Young", "The Tailgater's Advantage", "The National Debt", "Streaks and the Law of Averages", and "Life After Death".This is a great stocking stuffer for all!

Pithy, witty, thought=provoking, and informative

"The Arithmetic of Life" is a wonderful little book! Comprised of 40 pithy essays, it offers explanations for some of life's little (and not so little) mysteries. The book is highly readable, witty, and can be enjoyed by audiences of any age or walk of life. With subjects ranging from the cost of borrowing to whether we are alone in the universe, there is something in this book which will provide food for thought for everyone. I would especially recommend the book for young adults or teens, and those who care about them. Many of the subjects are pertinent to young people just beginning to deal with the realities of life--like why it is important to finish school, why it's important to do a good job at work, and why you're apt to get caught if you persist in doing something you shouldn't. For those who can still manage to gather the whole family in one place for dinner, the book would provide a great basis for family readings and, more importantly, discussions. The book would make a great graduation gift or stocking stuffer. I also recommend the book for employers and employees who wonder why things are crazy at the office. Read the book and find out why your best producer could be hurting your business or why some of those meetings are really necessary.For those who get nervous and clammy at just hearing the word "arithmetic", don't worry. You don't have to solve an equation at the blackboard, and you don't have to have passed calculus to understand the examples offered. A knowledge of basic math, like addition and subtraction, is all you need, and the math is already done for you and offered as illustration to the narrative. In fact, as stated in the beginning, the book is written precisely for people who avoid math at all costs--and perhaps shouldn't.Even if you think you have life whipped, there is much in the book you will just plain enjoy reading--and will surely want to pass it on to someone who is in real need of illumination--which, when you think about it, is just about everyone.