Anna's review
Fermat's Enigma: The Epic Quest to Solve the World's Greatest Mathematical Problem
by Simon Singh
Anna - nice review! I agree - I think Singh die an excellent exposition of the Fermat's Last Theorem story. Similarly, of the three books on cryptography that I've read that were aimed at a general audience, his was far and away the best. I've just started "The Big Bang", which looks intimidatingly long, but so far he's doing a nice job.
This weekend is my time to behave like a grownup - getting everything together for my accountant so that my taxes get done on time, and preparing to meet with my lawyer to write a proper will on Thursday. Sometimes I think I'm not ready to be an adult.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Ugh, David - what a sombering weekend!
I think you might have gotten both the two first in the top ten reasons to Why Adulthood is Seriously Overrated. (Number three is "gravity sure sucks".)
Thanks for the book tip, I have enjoyed both of his books tremendously!!
Anna's review
Fermat's Enigma: The Epic Quest to Solve the World's Greatest Mathematical Problem by Simon Singh
Anna's review
rating:
bookshelves:
2008,
history,
re-read,
science-popular
recommended for: all who're interested in maths but not necessarily experts at it
Finished. I have to admit I got completely lost in the last fourth of the book, where he discussed the modular somethings (equations, perhaps). It still is s really great book though.
**re-reading**
After 'White Dog', I strongly felt the need for something neat. Re-reading this is like plunging into a cool ocean.
______original review: ______
After I had finished his Code Book, I picked this one up. I always loved maths in school...trying to find a patterns, solving the problems etc but I major in pol.sci I am definitively not an expert.
Singh manages to guide the even the non-mathematician readers through this legendary maths problem, but I am sure that a maths major would enjoy the intricacies even more. It is the perfect mix of maths and history, though.
**re-reading**
After 'White Dog', I strongly felt the need for something neat. Re-reading this is like plunging into a cool ocean.
______original review: ______
After I had finished his Code Book, I picked this one up. I always loved maths in school...trying to find a patterns, solving the problems etc but I major in pol.sci I am definitively not an expert.
Singh manages to guide the even the non-mathematician readers through this legendary maths problem, but I am sure that a maths major would enjoy the intricacies even more. It is the perfect mix of maths and history, though.
Anna - nice review! I agree - I think Singh die an excellent exposition of the Fermat's Last Theorem story. Similarly, of the three books on cryptography that I've read that were aimed at a general audience, his was far and away the best. I've just started "The Big Bang", which looks intimidatingly long, but so far he's doing a nice job.This weekend is my time to behave like a grownup - getting everything together for my accountant so that my taxes get done on time, and preparing to meet with my lawyer to write a proper will on Thursday. Sometimes I think I'm not ready to be an adult.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Ugh, David - what a sombering weekend!
I think you might have gotten both the two first in the top ten reasons to Why Adulthood is Seriously Overrated. (Number three is "gravity sure sucks".)
Thanks for the book tip, I have enjoyed both of his books tremendously!!