From the Bookshelf of Science and Inquiry…

The Man Who Loved Only Numbers: The Story of Paul Erdős and the Search for Mathematical Truth

Paul Hoffman

Start date: February 1, 2013

Finish date: February 28, 2013

Discussion: Book Club 2013

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Book Club 2013

December 2013: "The Strangest Man"
By David · 22 posts · 150 views

last updated Jan 03, 2016 10:51AM

June 2013 - Cosmos
By Betsy , co-mod · 45 posts · 171 views

last updated Mar 11, 2014 04:07PM

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What Members Thought

Feb 02, 2013 David Rubenstein rated it really liked it

Shelves: biography, mathematics

Paul Erdos was a prolific, well-known mathematician. He wrote over 1400 journal articles in various mathematical publications, many of them collaborations. Those people who collaborated with him earned an Erdos "number 1". Those who collaborated with someone who collaborated with him earned a "number 2", and so on.

To say that Erdos was "eccentric" would be an understatement. He had no home--he carried a suitcase with a single change of clothes in it, and traveled the world, visiting one mathemat ...more

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Jul 03, 2008 Amy rated it really liked it

I find genius fascinating, and I feel this book explores the "burden" of genius. Erdos has a mathematical gift, but he is lacking in some of the most basic life and social skills. While others are willing to take care of him in return for just associating with his brilliance, it makes you wonder if us normal slobs aren't better off in the end. Still...I'd probably take another IQ points if offered! ...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Patricrk patrick rated it really liked it

Shelves: science, non-fiction

Genius, obsession, The man was amazing and the stories are funny. An excellent look at a man who was a math genius.

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Dec 29, 2012 Katy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: history

Absolutely delightful.
Well written and shows why math can be addictive and the joy of solving problems.
The biography shows the human side of Erdos too.

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