Paul hoffman the man who loved only numbers

Paul hoffmans biography of paul erdos, the man who loved only numbers, sometimes puts erdos straddling the line. The new york times called hoffman the mayor of strange places because of his penchant for checking in at outoftheway places on foursquare. Captivated, he portrayed him in an awardwinning 1987 article in the atlantic monthly. Erdos was unusual not only intellectually but also in the way he lived, forsaking all creature comforts including a home to pursue his lifelong study of numbers. The man who loved only numbers hoffman paul 1857028112 for.

The man who loved only numbers by paul hoffman kirkus. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free. Erdos hardcover july 9, 1998 by paul hoffman author visit amazons paul hoffman page. By the way, hoffman does indeed go into erdoss sex life in a completely tasteful and pg sort of way. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth paul hoffman based on a national magazine awardwinning article, this masterful biography of hungarianborn paul erdos is both a vivid portrait of an eccentric genius and a laymans guide to some of this centurys most startling mathematical discoveries. There seems to be a thin line between being an eccentric genius and an incandescent excretory orifice. One of the only types of nonfiction i enjoy reading is biographies of people who have done impressive stuff in fields im interested in. During this math encounter, hoffman discusses the legendarily eccentric paul erdos, who, for more than two decades, lived out of two tattered. An affectionate if impressionistic portrayal of one of the centurys greatest and strangest mathematicians. Explore the relationship between genius, madness, obsession, and creativity with bestselling author, journalist, and tv personality paul hoffman. The book was a bestseller in the united kingdom and has been published in 15 different languages. Based on a national magazine awardwinning article, this masterful biography of hungarianborn paul erdos is both a vivid portrait of an eccentric genius and a laymans guide to some of this centurys most startling mathematical discoveries.

He is the winner of the first national magazine award for feature writing, and his work has appeared in the. The man who loved only numbers by paul hoffman hachette books. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth. In the man who loved only numbers paul hoffman, former editorinchief of discover magazine, describes the life of paul erdos, hungarian mathematical genius. Start your 48hour free trial to unlock this the man who loved only numbers study guide and get instant access to the. He was a man who dearly loved his mother and children but practiced a deep and abiding celibacy all his life. Math encounters the man who loved only numbers paul. The man who loved only numbers paperback 1 august 1999 by paul hoffman author 4.

Drawing on years of interviews with erdos and his friends and devoted collaborators, hoffman has composed a vibrant portrait of the impish philosopherscientist whose accomplishments continue to enrich and inform our world. The man who loved only numbers is an interesting read from multiple aspects. The man who loved only numbers quotes by paul hoffman. In this hour, well take a look at the strange lives of some. Paul erdos was a brilliant mathematician without a home. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Paul erdos, hungarian freelance mathematician known for his work in number theory and combinatorics and legendary eccentric who was arguably the most prolific mathematician of the 20th century, in terms of both the number of problems he solved and the number of problems he convinced others to.

He is the former president of encyclopaedia brittanica. The man who loved only numbers, by paul hoffman daniel. He slept for only three hours a night, he worked for nineteen hours each day, and he published 1500 papers, all thanks to a constant diet of coffee and amphetamines. Paul hoffman was president of encyclopedia britannica and editorinchief of discover, and is the author of the man who loved only numbers and the wings of madness. Still captivated, hoffman continued his study of erdoss world over the next decade. The book was first published on july 15, 1998, by hyperion books as a hardcover edition. The man who loved only numbers movies the new york times. According to hoffman archimedes revenge, 1988, the hungarian was so devoted to mathematics that he went without wife, children, steady job, or even a home, preferring. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth is filled with.

The man who loved only numbers is his expanded homage to the man and his discipline. Paul erdos was one of those very special geniuses, the kind who comes. Paul hoffman was president of encyclopedia britannica and editorinchief of discover, and is the author of the man who loved only numbers and the wings. The book is, in the words of the author, a work in oral history based on the recollections of erdos, his collaborators and their spouses. Pauls most celebrated book, the man who loved only numbers, was featured in clue 104 down in the sunday times crossword puzzle for 11152015. It mostly concentrates on the life story of paul erdos, an incredible genius who took on an occupation of traveling mathematician, all for one goal. The man who loved only numbers hoffman paul 1857028112. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth 9781857028294 by hoffman, paul and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Paul erdos was the most prolific mathematician of the twentieth century. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth paul erdos was the worlds foremost mathematician, driven on a neverending quest for mathematical truth across the globe. Description of the book the man who loved only numbers. Paul erdos was the most prolific pure mathematician in history and, arguably, the strangest too.

The man who loved only numbers by paul hoffman is an effective antidote to the i hate math mindset. He is the winner of the first national magazine award for feature writing, and his work has appeared in the new yorker. He proved that mathematics isnt just a young mans game. Paul erdos was the most prolific pure mathematician in. The man who loved only numbers the story of paul erdos. The man who loved only numbers is a biography of the famous mathematician paul erdos written by paul hoffman. The man who loved only numbers the story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth.

Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The man who loved only numbers, by paul hoffman one of the only types of nonfiction i enjoy reading is biographies of people who have done impressive stuff in fields im interested in. He asked whitney to pay him back only when it would not cause financial strain. Paul hoffman was president of encyclopedia britannica and editorinchief of discover.

Hoffmans book brilliantly reflects the man and his work. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth 9780786884063 by hoffman, paul and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Hoffman talked about his book the man who loved only numbers, published by hyperion, about mathematician paul erdos whose life as a wandering numerical scholar became legendary. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth folklore pdf read online. Paul hoffman perhaps my favourite biography of a mathematician. The man who loved only numbers by paul hoffman waterstones.

It is only in the case of romantic love that erdos loved only numbers. The book does a great job of introducing the fascinating field of mathematics to a lay audience. Buy the man who loved only numbers by paul hoffman from waterstones today. The man who loved only numbers, paul hoffman, fourth estate, isbn 1857028112 301pp. The man who loved only numbers by paul hoffman, 9781857028294, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. According to hoffman archimedes revenge, 1988, the hungarian was so devoted to mathematics that he went without wife, children, steady job, or even a home. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth by paul hoffman 6,954 ratings, 4. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The vega science trust the man who loved only numbers. Those of us who knew erdos fleetingly in my case or even those who merely knew something about him, will enjoy reading the many anecdotes about the man, including descriptions from some of those who regularly opened their homes to him of ways in which he could be a completely infuriating.

After reading it, i was literally on a twoweek high. Parade police agency that predated the kgb, which he said swapped agents. Focus about the author author of the award winning biography the man who loved only numbers, paul hoffman writes for time and the new yorker. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth by paul hoffman 1998, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. This is literary tribute to the life and work of paul erdos, the eminent mathematician that died last year.

The article and its title are preserved in this book. Thats why ive got this shelf of books about shakespeare, einstein, jobs, feynman and the like. One of my favorite of the bunch is the man who loved only numbers, by paul hoffman, a biography of paul erdos. Paul erdos was one of the most prolific and eccentric mathematician of our time, a man who possessed unimaginable powers of thought yet was unable to manage some of the simplest daily tasks. The story of paul erdos and the search for mathematical truth new ed by hoffman, paul isbn. He is the winner of the first national magazine award for feature writing, and his work has appeared in the new yorker, time, and atlantic monthly. Paul hoffman won the 1999 aventis prize for science books for the man who loved only numbers, his biography of the mathematician paul erdos. See all 6 formats and editions hide other formats and editions.