"A good read. The Secret Formula is a useful volume for students and general readers who want to learn about the history of the cubic formula."—Victor J. Katz, coauthor of Taming the Unknown: A History of Algebra from Antiquity to the Early Twentieth Century
"Toscano tells an exciting story."—John Stillwell, author of Reverse Mathematics: Proofs from the Inside Out
"Few episodes in the history of mathematics are more dramatic than the sixteenth-century conflict between Tartaglia and Cardano over the solution to cubic equations. This beautifully written book lays out their story in exquisite detail."—David M. Bressoud, author of Calculus Reordered: A History of the Big Ideas
"In sixteenth-century Italy, the discovery of the cubic formula ignited a fierce battle between Niccolò Tartaglia and Gerolamo Cardano. After I read this lively account of their combat, I could reach but one verdict: both mathematicians were guilty of ingenuity in the third degree."—William Dunham, author of The Calculus Gallery
"The solving of the cubic equation is one of the greatest tales in the history of mathematics, replete with rivalries, mathematical duels, sacred oaths, deceit, broken promises, insults, and flattery. Toscano takes us into the lives and actions of the eccentric and troubled geniuses in this juicy, Hollywood-worthy story."—David S. Richeson, author of Tales of Impossibility
"Set in the intellectually fecund era of the Italian High Renaissance, The Secret Formula reads like a captivating mystery novel. Toscano's story is endearing, poignant, and brilliantly told."—Bülent Atalay, author of Math and the Mona Lisa: The Art and Science of Leonardo da Vinci
"In this gripping story of a fundamental mathematical discovery, outrageous historical characters in Renaissance Italy battle both the cubic equation and each other. Loved it!"—Ian Stewart, author of Significant Figures: The Lives and Work of Great Mathematicians
"Toscano is able to provide a realistic and accurate view that captures the complexity of the story of the cubic formula and the very different mathematical practices of this time. Anyone interested in learning about the history of mathematics will likely find it an interesting and informative read."---Patrick Love, London Mathematical Society Newsletter
"Toscano weaves together his sources deftly to make the story as lively and exciting as a novel, with mathematics an organic part of the tale."---Daniel J. Curtin, MAA Reviews
"The cubic formula will always be beyond my grasp . . . but the story of its discovery and of the men who battled over it, so memorably recounted in The Secret Formula, is one I am glad to know."---Jeff Jacoby, Boston Globe
"The yeast of the story has been told already many times, but it has never been told like Toscano does in this book."---Adhemar Bultheel, European Mathematical Society