The Sand-Reckoner is a moving, human account of Archimedes, one of the most innocent and intriguing thinkers of the ancient world: a young, brilliant man who was blessed by all the Muses, whose incredible mind could never quite understand the mundane world -- and whose incredible mind the mundane world could never quite accept. The young Archimedes has had the best three years of his life at Ptolemy's Museum at Alexandria. To be able to talk and think all day, every day, sharing ideas and information with the world's greatest minds, is heaven to Archimedes. But heaven must be forsaken when he learns that his father is ailing and his home city of Syracuse is at war with the Romans.
Reluctant but resigned, Archimedes takes himself home to find a job building catapults as a royal engineer. Though Syracuse is no Alexandria, Archimedes also finds that life at home isn't as boring or confining as he originally thought. He finds fame and loss, love and war, wealth and betrayal -- none of which affects him nearly as much as the divine beauty of mathematics.
"Bradshaw makes ancient history immediate and thrilling."
THE ORLANDO SENTINEL "A historical novel of extraordinary depth and passion."
BOOKLIST ON ISLAND OF GHOSTS
"[Bradshaw is known for] atmospheric accuracy, period characterizations, and rousing plots... [She] lends the conventions of the historical novel a rare and unusual depth."
THE BOSTON GLOBE
"A vivid, atmospheric work ... Fluidly written, well researched, and luxuriant with colorful, authentic detail."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ON ISLAND OF GHOSTS
"Bradshaw is an excellent writer ... History comes alive in her expert hands."
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
Jacket art Patrick Faricy
