Book cover of Prime Obsession: Berhhard Riemann and the Greatest Unsolved Problem in Mathematics

Book description

The definitive story of the Riemann Hypothesis, a fascinating and epic mathematical mystery that continues to challege the world.

In 1859, Bernhard Riemann, a little-known thirty-two year old mathematician, made a hypothesis while presenting a paper to the Berlin Academy titled  “On the Number of Prime Numbers Less Than a…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Prime Obsession as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Most mathematicians believe that the Riemann Hypothesis is the most important open question in mathematics, including me. But it is almost impossible to explain why this is such a central concern. This book is one of the attempts to explain to the non-mathematician why the Riemann Hypothesis is so important. As a partial spoiler alert, it has to do with the nature of prime numbers, which in part explains the title. It is not a book to read in one sitting, but it with a little work is great for seeing, at least in part, the big picture.

From Thomas' list on for mathematical inspiration.

If you love Prime Obsession...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like Prime Obsession?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Prime Obsession.

Browse books like Prime Obsession

Book cover of Hilbert
Book cover of Adventures of a Mathematician
Book cover of Gamma: Exploring Euler's Constant

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,343

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Prime Obsession, you might also like...

Book cover of Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman

Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman by Alexis Krasilovsky,

Kate from Jules et Jim meets I Love Dick.

A young woman filmmaker’s journey of self-discovery, set against a backdrop of the sexual liberation movement of the 1970s and 1980s. In Portrait of an Artist as a Young Woman, we follow Ana Fried as she faces the ultimate…

Book cover of Malcolm Before X

Malcolm Before X by Patrick Parr,

Malcolm Before X is about finding a way to continue moving forward after everything has been taken from you. While in prison, Malcolm Little discovered the power of reading and found a way to transform his character and become a better man. This half-biography focuses on that transformation, especially his…

5 book lists we think you will like!