7: The Magical, Amazing and Popular Number Seven

An updated edition of the first-ever book devoted to the cultural influence of the number 7 is nearing completion. Aventine Press is scheduled to release a second printing of 7: The Magical, Amazing and Popular Number Seven by author David M. Eastis (ISBN 1-59330-777-2) by 7 December 2009.

Like the initial release that was published in March 2009, the enhanced version explores the magnetism that the number 7 has exerted, from ancient cultures to the present day. Eastis, an enthusiast and authority on the number 7, brings the “7 phenomenon” he has identified to life with more than 2,777 references to the number that has held special and sacred significance for thousands of years.

“7”—the seven book—documents the strong symbolism of the number 7 and its multiples for people of widely divergent backgrounds, including Mother Teresa, Jesus, Elvis Presley, Gandhi, Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey. The book also reveals how the number 7 influenced people as divergent as philosopher Aristotle, original Batgirl actress Yvonne Craig, 7 Eleven Inc. CEO Joe DePinto, NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason, and the late U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

The book is a comprehensive study exploring the influence and incidence of the number 7 in pop culture, sports, religion, cinematography, literature, language, in cultures throughout the world, in sales and merchandising, and in art. The world has 7 continents and 7 seas. 7 is the pH balance for pure water. The musical scale consists of 7 notes. More people were married on 7-7-07 than on any other date in history because of the rare alignment of three 7s; that date fell on a Saturday, making it the 7th day of the week, 7th day of the month of 2007. Charles Gibson of ABC News called that date the “trifecta of good fortune.”

Another author has examined the significance of the number 7 in her own forthcoming book, which Eastis welcomes. In her book Seven: The Number for Happiness, Love, and Success, Jackie Leo, former editor-in-chief of Reader’s Digest, explores the implications of the number 7 from a different perspective.

“7: The Magical, Amazing and Popular Number Seven and the new book by Leo complement each other well by together illustrating the many ways in which the number 7 consciously and subliminally influences our lives,” Eastis said.
Nearly half of the 32 NFL quarterbacks wore a No. 7 jersey in 2007. John Elway, No. 7 for the Denver Broncos and Stanford University, said, “People throughout the years would call out to me, ‘Hey 7, good game’ or ‘You suck, 7’ — but either way, ‘7’ is who I became. To this day, my autograph always includes the number 7.”

The number 7 has enduring significance for NFL quarterback Chris Redman who wore 7 for the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, the University of Louisville Cardinals and even for his Louisville Male High School team. With his 7/7/77 birth date, jersey 7 was a natural fit for him. Redman scored 7 touchdowns in 2002 for the Ravens. His wife Ashley gave birth to their first child, Britt Tyler, in ‘07. The power of the number 7 is undeniable for Chris Redman. Though he dons #8 for the Atlanta Falcons now, he’s told the author he’ll always be a 7 at heart.

Johnny Neves of the Northern League Fargo-Moorhead Twins — whose name spelled in reverse was “SEVEN” — wore uniform number “7” backwards on his 1951 jersey. Baseball great Mickey Mantle became synonymous with his New York Yankees No. 7 jersey he wore for 17-years — during which the Yankees won 7 World Series.

In the Christian world, the number 777 — which equates to the Holy Trinity — is often chosen to represent God. When asked by Peter how many times we need to forgive others, Jesus replied, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). The Seven Last Words attributed to Christ on the cross are, “My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” A menorah contains 7 candle holders. Islam teaches the existence of seven heavens and seven earths. The Qur’an says the sky is composed of seven layers. Muslims believe that anyone in Seventh Heaven is in a state of celestial bliss.

The numeral 7 has a strong presence in the U.S. military and space program. Most space missions have 7 astronauts, and many bear 7-related call signs, including John Glenn’s Friendship 7, Alan Shepard’s Freedom 7 and Gus Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7. The Navy’s Blue Angels team is composed of 7 jets.

Corporations find the numeral 7 seductive. Popular brands include 7-Eleven, 7-Up, Seagram’s 7-Crown, Jack Daniel’s No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Seventh Generation, 7x7 magazine, 7 Zins, 7 Heavenly Chards, No 7 cosmetics, Boeing 777, Lotus Seven, Caterham 7, Lincoln Mark VII, Mazda RX-7 and CX-7, Audi Q7, PS7’s at 777 I Street in Washington, D.C. and 7 For All Mankind jeans.

"No book about seven would be complete without paying homage to a heptad of deserving individuals and organizations. In this 7 book, I salute the many exceptional athletes who wore No. 7, including John Elway, Mickey Mantle and Boomer Esiason. My seven book also pays homage to the ubiquitous 7-Eleven stores, legendary Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 and the fabled 7 wonders of the world. And, of course, one of my favorites – 007, the world’s most famous spy. I had seven times more fun than anyone should have had writing this first-ever book about seven. I hope after reading “7” that you are as amazed as I am to know that great things come in sevens."

Eastis will donate at least 7 percent of the profits from sales of the book to seven worthwhile causes: the American Red Cross; Best Buddies; Carter Center Peace and Health Programs; Fuller Center for Housing; Habitat for Humanity; Oprah’s Angel Network; and the University of California, Davis.

Seven book web site: http://www.the7book.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/the7book
Join as Facebook 7 fan: http://www.facebook.com/#/pages/The-Number-7/112845914468?ref=ts
Purchase “7” : http://www.the7book.com/order7.html