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Title: A Mathematician's Apology
ISBN: 0521095778
Author:
G. H. Hardy
Publicate Date: 1967-01-01
Publish: 1967-01-01
List Price: $14.95
Average Customer Rating: 5.0
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $13.88
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $5.50
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| Customer Review: |
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1: a great mathematician presents his view of what constitutes math and what constitutes a mathematician
First off, A Mathematician's Apology is not very apologetic and G. H. Hardy did not need to be apologetic! The author believed that great mathematics cannot be done by older mathematicians and, so, one thing he apologizes for is being too old to produce math. As the creation of mathematics is the sole purpose of a mathematician, he felt that being too old to create it made him useless. But need I remind you that, during that time, he created this book! Another thing that G. H. Hardy apologizes for is for doing mathematics for mathematics sake. Hardy did not consider applied math to be real mathematics. He felt only pure mathematics mattered. It is perhaps ironic that the very mathematics he considered pure, his, became useful for the study of encryption later in the 20th century. In any case, one of the great things that G. H. Hardy did was liberate England from the chains of a single minded approach to applied mathematics. He also mentored the great genius Ramanujan. Hardy considered his time with Ramanujan and Littlewood, another great mathematician, to be the most productive time in his life. This book, which includes a mini biography of Hardy by C. P. Snow can give the reader a glimpse of what it is like to be a great mathematician if not what it is like to do great mathematics. I suppose no book can do the latter.
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2: Brief but valuable, a book for everyone
I learned about this book while reading another book, "Prime Obsession" and it awoke my curiosity mainly for two reasons: because it was a interesting subject, an apology for being a mathematician, trying to explain the purpose and usufulness of mathematics, and because I wanted to know more about Hardy's life, since I knew a few things about the nice story of this mathematician and Ramanujan. This is a brief book, there is a foreword that serve as a brief biography before enjoying Hardy thoughts, which by the way really grab your attention, even you learn a few lessons of simple mathematics proofs that try to show the beauty of it. I consider this book valuable for everyone.
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3: This is a book which should be read by all college students
Hardy was a giant among early 20th century mathematicians. It is difficult to overstate his importance. He was one of the first to show that mathematics is as much art as science without having to have interpretation (such as Dunham's "Journey Through Genius...").
This is what makes this book so poignant. Hardy realizes that he no longer is Hardy. In today's mathematics world that may not have been the case given the immediate communications possible between humans which may have kept him going. However, it may have been that he was suffering from the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's - it is difficult to tell given his admissions of not being up to the task - regardless, this book is overwhelmingly sad.
Anyone who cares about math should read this and thank Hardy for his contributions - plus they should have a copy of "A Course in Pure Mathematics".
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4: One of my top 20. Somewhat depressing but oh so true.
This short book has long been one of my favorites. Hardy's philosophical musings may depress some but they ring so very true. Hardy is quite honest about life, art, mathematics, and his failing abilities. For example, his statement, that a very small minority of us are really good at what we do may sound depressing today. But the fact is true.
I can recall when words such as super, excellent, awesome etc. were used judiciously and very rarely to describe truly significant achievement. Today, doing one's job, albeit poorly, is described as excellent.
What I most like about Hardy's book is it's honesty and respect for the reader. A suggestion. Read the book proper BEFORE wading through C.P. Snow's forward. After about the second read tackle the forward.
A must have.
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5: No need to apologize.
One of the most scholarly books that has been written in the 20th century, G.H. Hardy's thrilling memoir tells a story that other people are too afraid to discuss. Hardy's depressing transition from mathematical genius to near vegetable is a telling example of the archtypical fear of cerebral atrophy that resides among even the most resilient and foolhardy among us. This concise "novel" reads fluidly and especailly so for when written by a mathematician and serves to enlighten the world of the multi-talented nature of a world class mathematician. All in all this book is a rare find and should be read by people of all ages: whether a young aspiring mathematician or an old decrepit intellectual.
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