These six volumes include approximately 20,000 reviews of items in number theory that appeared in Mathematical Reviews (MR) between 1984 and 1996. This is the third such set of volumes in number theory: the first was edited by W.J. LeVeque and included reviews from 1940-1972; the second was edited by R.K. Guy and appeared in 1984.

Since its publication, C.F. Gauss's Disquisitiones Arithmeticae (1801) has acquired an almost mythical reputation, standing as an ideal of exposition in notation, problems and methods; as a model of organisation and theory building; and as a source of mathematical inspiration. Eighteen authors - mathematicians, historians, philosophers - have collaborated in this volume to assess the impact of the Disquisitiones, in the two centuries since its publication.