'The First Wave'
By James R. Benn
Soho Press, $24.
The killer is not all that hard to spot in James Benn's latest World War II mystery. But that's OK. "The First Wave" is fun for several reasons, not the least of which is that it offers a chance to learn more about the invasion/liberation of Algiers in late 1942.
Benn is a librarian in Connecticut as well as a history buff. His research shows in the details. He knows about Eisenhower's public-relations problems. He knows about the testing and introduction of penicillin. He knows about military hospitals, how quickly they could be set up.
If you enjoy feeling proud of American history, then "The First Wave" is the mystery for you. Also, if you figure out who the killer is all too rarely, this book may give you the chance to feel proud of your own little detective self. —Susan Whitney
'Super Crunchers'
By Ian Ayres
Bantam, $25
This book, subtitled "Why Thinking-By-Numbers Is the New Way to Be Smart," asks some intriguing questions such as "Why would a casino try to stop you from losing?" "How can a mathematical formula find your future spouse?" "Would you know if statistical analysis blackballed you from a job you wanted?"
Ian Ayres is an economist who demonstrates how organizations and databases are quickly providing insights into human behavior. He writes about "collaborative filtering," in which such companies as Amazon.com and Netflicks recommend books and films to people based on their initial selection.
Critics, however, say that such "personalizing exposes citizens only to information that fits with their narrowly preconceived preferences." —Dennis Lythgoe
'Perfect Figures'
Bunny Crumpacker
Thomas Dunne/St Martin's, $24.95
"Perfect Figures" examines "The Lore of Numbers and How We Learned to Count." The author studies the emergence of numbers and shows how they are incorporated into our lives, dialogue and the ways in which we see the world.
She suggests superstitions and associations that give each number a place in our minds. She spends a chapter on each number from 1 to 12, then takes a look at 100, 1,000 and 1,000,000.
Crumpacker tells how each number came into existence historically, illustrated with anecdotes. She writes that finger-counting used to be a sign of great intelligence. She also deals with the cultural meanings that have become part of the significance of each number. —Dennis Lythgoe