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peterkeep's review against another edition
4.0
I've been really interested in math history since I was an undergrad and Paul Erdõs' career was always an interesting anecdote about work ethic and amphetamines. In the rush to cover everything from the Pythagoreans to Wiles' proof of Fermat's Last Theorem, nothing gets covered in depth, so that was about as much of Erdõs as I ever knew.
Hoffman's biography on Erdõs is really well done. He weaves the story of Erdõs' life with the political history of his home country (and Europe/USA as a whole) and connects his publishing interests with some of the famous results in mathematics. It's obvious that this book is based on a shorter work (originally an article in The Atlantic) and sometimes the tangents get a little long before coming back to Uncle Paul, but it's still enjoyable.
We don't just get treated to stories of Erdõs, but we get to see and meet Graham and Hardy and Ramanujan and Euler and Euclid and a whole host of others. Among the story of Erdõs, Hoffman gives a brief summary of math history and he does as good a job as I've read at keeping it entertaining and also informative. He talks through some of the essential and formative proofs and does a nice job of shedding light on some of the importance of these results.
I think what I like most is the sentimentality of it though. Hoffman admits a few times in the book that he's no mathematician, but he's a good writer. He shows Erdõs as a sympathetic character, and does a great job of giving the reader a glimpse at the affection that so many other prominent mathematicians have for him. His is a tragic and beautiful life full of hard work and meaning and curiosity. It's hard not to feel romantic about the life of Paul Erdõs after reading about it here.
Hoffman's biography on Erdõs is really well done. He weaves the story of Erdõs' life with the political history of his home country (and Europe/USA as a whole) and connects his publishing interests with some of the famous results in mathematics. It's obvious that this book is based on a shorter work (originally an article in The Atlantic) and sometimes the tangents get a little long before coming back to Uncle Paul, but it's still enjoyable.
We don't just get treated to stories of Erdõs, but we get to see and meet Graham and Hardy and Ramanujan and Euler and Euclid and a whole host of others. Among the story of Erdõs, Hoffman gives a brief summary of math history and he does as good a job as I've read at keeping it entertaining and also informative. He talks through some of the essential and formative proofs and does a nice job of shedding light on some of the importance of these results.
I think what I like most is the sentimentality of it though. Hoffman admits a few times in the book that he's no mathematician, but he's a good writer. He shows Erdõs as a sympathetic character, and does a great job of giving the reader a glimpse at the affection that so many other prominent mathematicians have for him. His is a tragic and beautiful life full of hard work and meaning and curiosity. It's hard not to feel romantic about the life of Paul Erdõs after reading about it here.
toltzboy456's review against another edition
3.0
Less of a biography and more of an exploration into math for the sake of math. I wish it actually focused more on Erdos, who is one of the most fascinating people I've ever heard of. That being said, I love math, so this was enjoyable.
amanizaha's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinated and obsessed with every new thing I learn about Paul Erdős!!
josh_paul's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting story about obsession and single-mindedness and how great they can be.
usrbinry4n's review against another edition
5.0
The riveting exploration of mathematical minds, "The Man Who Loved Only Numbers" delves into the fascinating life of Paul Erdős, masterfully chronicled by Paul Hoffman. The biography unfolds as an intricate narrative, capturing the essence of Erdős' relentless pursuit of mathematical truth. Hoffman skillfully guides readers through Erdős' nomadic journey, tracing his origins in Hungary to his global collaborations. The mathematician's prolific body of work, brilliantly portrayed, transcends the mere abstraction of formulas. Erdős' dance with numbers becomes a testament to boundless engagement, showcasing a unique brilliance that extends beyond the academic realm. The narrative, painted with a literary finesse, unfolds like a symphony. Erdős' eccentricity and audacity are brought to life, creating a vivid portrayal of a life dedicated to the pursuit of mathematical verity. Through intricate connections and nuanced storytelling, Hoffman crafts a captivating review of Erdős' legacy—a tale that echoes in the subtle rainfall of intricate equations, leaving an indelible mark on the mathematical cosmos.
jpowerj's review against another edition
3.0
It was okay, but probably should have been written by a mathematician. Basically just a bunch of quotes from mathematicians about Erdos and then errors when Hoffman tries to write stuff, such as pi = 3.146...
katelynashford's review against another edition
4.0
A brilliant dive into the life of a brilliant man, using his exploits as a window to explore mathematical proofs and to provide a meta-commentary on the field as a whole.