relative numbers

"This morning, I ate 5 olives for breakfast. I also had 2 pieces of light brown toast, a 3-egg omelet, and 11 raisins. I've had a breakfast very much like this for years. I'm not referring to the food. Clearly, having the same thing every day would get boring. So, like most people, I change what's on my plate from day to day. What I'm talking about are the numbers."

This is the opening paragraph to Relative Numbers. What follows are facts about each number from 1,000 all the way down to 0. The simplest way to describe the book is that it's a countdown of sorts, but one where each step downward is dyed with the colors of curiosity, fascination, and even love of numbers. Numbers, you see, are the most reliable things on Earth. And because of that, they are deserving of our love. In the end, the list in Relative Numbers is like a graveyard of history, math, and endless pop culture references.

[The author invites you to correct, amend, or suggest ways to improve the list as it's currently presented.]