Product Description

In a memorable address given at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Paris in 1900, David Hilbert, perhaps the most respected mathematician of his time, developed a blueprint for mathematical research in the new century. The collection of problems he presented in that address became a guiding inspiration to many mathematicians, and those who have succeeded in solving or advancing their solutions form an "Honours Class" among research mathematicians. With the support of many of the major players in the field, the author has written an engaging account of the achievements of this Honors Class, covering mathematical substance and biographical aspects.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #548076 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 500 pages

Review
"Narrative Plus Math Equals Sales" - Publishers Weekly, April 16, 2001 "[The book] is very lively and reads effortlessly....It will help the general public to appreciate what mathematicians are doing and how they behave socially about it." - Yuri I. Manin "[This] book will be a great success; the historical comments are fascinating." - Peter Lax

Customer Reviews

A page turner!
Fascinating historical comments, lively portraits of mathematicians, and their times. While the narrative is about the lives of some great mathematicians, it sucessfully outlines main ideas in the subject,--the personal and scientific context. The author does a great job in sharing his fascination with the rest of us. The book covers roughly the past hundred years. It is a great service to the mathematics community,-- and especially, it is an enjoyment for everyone. I think so, even if this might be the first book you read of its kind. Math is done by humans, and there is as much human darama in these stories as you would find anywhere. As you read, you get to know the characters in the book, get a sense of their feelings, and motivations. I believe the portraits are faithful. I actually know, and knew, some of the heros in the book.
You might not have expected this, but the book reads like a novel, fast paced, and it is hard to put down. At first, I meant to look at it just briefly before going to sleep, but instead read it to the end, finishing in the morning. As a professional mathematician, I am often saddened by how little our work is perhaps understood and appreciated. Books like this can do a lot of good. I can now tell my children that dad does stuff like that.
The author brings the events and the mathematical people to life, and he has a story to tell. This book is and will be a success for a long time to come.
Reviewed by Palle Jorgensen, August 2003.

A good overview of the problems and the people involved!
This is a very well written book which covers a very difficult but very interesting and rewarding subject, namely the 23 problems which were listed by David Hilbert in his address to the 2nd International Congress of Mathematicians in 1900. This was a mathematical, millennium set of problems posed a century too early!-) These were seen as solvable problems, which once answered, would allow for mathematics to be complete (pardon the pun!-). The poser was surprised by the answers to some of his questions!
The book is well written and provides both overview and detail, which can be easily avoided by those less mathematically fluent. Additionally, the book provides interesting and well written accounts of the people who rose to Hilbert's challenge. Finally, the book even has the transcript of Hilbert's original speech. A worthy read!

A hundred years of mathematics
In 1900 German mathematician David Hilbert gave a talk in which he outlined 23 of the most important unsolved problems in mathematics. By the end of the twentieth century, all but three of these problems had been substantially solved. Benjamin Yandell gives the background to each of the 23 "Hilbert problems", the ideas which led to their solution, and the stories of the mathematicians who worked on them. In so doing, he illuminates a broad cross-section of twentieth century mathematics.

The book is partly an overview of the problems themselves, and partly a history of the mathematicians - some famous, some less well known - who worked on them. Yandell balances these two themes against one another, and weaves a fascinating narrative around the framework of Hilbert's problems.

Packed with mathematical and biographic detail, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in the development of modern mathematics.