I Want to be a Mathematician: An Automathography

by P.R. Halmos

Overview

From the reviews: "...this is a fascinating addition to recent mathematical culture by one of its makers. The main message i absorbed from it was a set of conditions required for success in mathematics: talent, yes; single-mindedness, almost as obvious; sense of humour, essential when the going gets tough; and love, yes that is the right word - you must love mathematics, and that means all the ingredients, passion, pain and loyalty." The Mathematical Gazette#1"The book is written in a very personal, but plain and honest way, result of reflected experience and mature self-assessment of a wise man. It avoids palliation as well as exaggerated modesty.- It should be a document for history and sociology of science." (R. Fischer) Zentralblatt für Mathematik#2

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780387960784
Publisher:	Springer New York
Publication date:	05/17/1985
Edition description:	1985
Pages:	421
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.36(d)

Table of Contents

I. Student.- 1 Reading and writing and’ rithmetic.- 2 A college education.- 3 Graduate school.- 4 Learning to study.- 5 Learning to think.- 6 The Institute.- 7 Winning the war.- II. Scholar.- 8 A great university.- 9 The early years.- 10 Montevideo.- 11 The fabulous fifties.- III. Senior.- 12 How to teach.- 13 To Sydney, to Moscow, and back.- 14 How to do almost everything.- 15 Service, one way or another.- Coda How to be a mathematician.- Index of Photographs.