Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture: A Novel of Mathematical Obsession

by Apostolos Doxiadis

The moral of my evening emerged with crystal clarity: mathematics was something infinitely more interesting than solving second-degree equations or calculating the volumes of solids, the menial tasks at which we laboured at school.

... This is a book I had read a few years back, and happened to read again a few days ago. Absolutely marvelous. To be completely honest, it should serve as a reminder to what NOT to do if one aspires to be a Mathematician. P. S. You do not need to understand profound mathematical ideas in order to enjoy this one.