Members with This Book
Most Helpful Reviews
see all reviews
Liked It “Excellent biography of Paul Erdős (Hungarian mathematician)” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
see all reviews-
“Excellent biography of Paul Erdős (Hungarian mathematician)”
Chuck V wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This is a biography of someone who became one of my favorite mathematicians after reading it...”
Steven Z wrote this review Monday, September 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Pretty good as biographies go - I didn't understand a lot of the math, but Erdos sure was an interesting guy. Well written, definitely re-readable.”
TigerLily wrote this review Thursday, May 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Review written by Arundhathi Krishnan in Chai Kadai Benches: http://chaikadai.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/november-books/
The Chai Kadai Group wrote this review Wednesday, November 26 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
A comprehensive biography of an extraordinary mathematician of the 20th century, Paul Erdös, Hoffman’s book explores the life and work of a man whose life-breath was mathematics. Erdös’s work was monumental- he authored or co-authored 1475 substantial academic papers in his eighty three years, worked nineteen hours a day for the last twenty five years of his life, solved problems when he ate, travelled, and was always prepared with a notebook to aid his unravelling of the mysteries of mathematics. Erdös even has a number named after him- a code phrase in mathematics that expresses the degree of separation between an individual and the mathematician himself, with regards to collaboration on a paper. A person with an Erdös number of 1 has the distinction of having worked with Erdös directly, one with an Erdös number of 2 has published with someone who has published with Erdös, and so on.
It is interesting to note, this book being a biography, that there was no divide between the personal and public spheres of Erdös’s life, for his life was mathematics alone. The book also neatly captures, and explains to some extent, several path-breaking mathematical discoveries (or inventions?!) of the twentieth century, including Gödel’s Incompleteness Theorem and the proof of Fermat’s Last theorem by Wiles after more than three centuries.
‘The Man Who Loved Only Numbers’ is a well-researched, inspirational book, that paints a life-like picture of a man who truly represented the spirit of inquiry, and the endless search for mathematical truth, a man who truly ‘loved only numbers’.
”“Who would'nt love a man (mathematician) who refers to children as epsilons? :) This book gives an insight into the like of Paul Erdos, a man consumed with mathematics throughout his life till the time he "left", always having a problem at hand to throw to any fellow mathematicians and stimulating their intelligence. A good, stimulating and often hilarious read - contrary to what one believes mathematics would be? I guess thats the catch.”
vardhan w wrote this review Monday, June 9 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Great book on Paul Erdos. I contacted the author about one of the proofs in the book, and he was very enjoyable to talk to. He does a great job of telling Erdos story.”
Brad R wrote this review Monday, March 10 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Absolutely loved this book.”
Sam Judson wrote this review Friday, November 2 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“good”
DavidCC wrote this review Tuesday, October 23 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book changed my life. I've never felt the same. The intensity of Erdos' experiencing of mathematics, and the description the author gives of some of the mathematical concepts have really just haunted me, like many layers of the world suddenly opened up to me. ”
noemie wrote this review Friday, September 28 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
