Russian edition of the book This Is Improbable

All Russia, or perhaps only parts of Russia, is or are celebrating the newly published Russian edition of the book This Is Improbable. The ISBN for the Russian edition is 9785996316281, a number that some, or perhaps all Russian mathematicians find fascinating. Here’s what the front cover looks like:

The American edition of the book has ISBN 9781851689316, a number that may itself be fascinating. Certainly it is lengthy, if measured in digits, and if your threshold for lengthiness is about ten.

The American edition is encrusted with hearty blurbs from non-Russians:

“After reading this hilarious book, you’ll never look at scientists in the same way again.”

—Terry Jones, bestselling author and Python

“Wonderful! The definitive compendium of quirky, jaw-dropping research”

—Richard Wiseman, author of :59 seconds

“Delightful… a pleasure to read in the bathroom and in the bedroom, and the kind of book that makes you seem smarter when you share it with friends (just make sure you wash your hands first).”

—Dan Ariely, author of Predictably Irrational

“Marc Abrahams is a perfectly calibrated filtration system into which all of science is poured and out of which comes pure, giddy goofball delight. This book is a delicious, addictive treat.”

—Mary Roach, author of Stiff and Packing for Mars

The Russian edition is unencrusted.