Malba Tahan is the creation of a celebrated Brazilianmathematician looking for a way to bring some of themysteries and pleasures of mathematics to a wider public.The adventures of Beremiz Samir, The Man Who Counted,take the reader on a journey in which, time and again, Samirsummons his extraordinary mathematical powers to settledisputes, give wise advice, overcome dangerous enemies,and win for himself fame, fortune, and rich rewards. Welearn of previous mathematicians and come to admire Samir’swisdom and patience. In the grace of Tahan’s telling, thesestories hold unusual delights for the reader.