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jclermont's review against another edition
4.0
Despite the length of the preface (it's almost as long as the book), I definitely recommend reading it. It provides some excellent insights into the author's background and disposition.
I found the book interesting and enlightening, but in parts it seems quite dates. Hardy couldn't think of any uses of "pure" math for wartime purposes, but this would change radically a few years later in the Second World War.
I found the book interesting and enlightening, but in parts it seems quite dates. Hardy couldn't think of any uses of "pure" math for wartime purposes, but this would change radically a few years later in the Second World War.
yates9's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating account of the world of the mathematician in the early 20th century. Sober perspective on the nature
of mathematics, and its utility. Interestingly the world of Hardy has been dramatically changed by computation: today I believe he would see applied mathematics in a very different light.
of mathematics, and its utility. Interestingly the world of Hardy has been dramatically changed by computation: today I believe he would see applied mathematics in a very different light.
wrenby's review against another edition
2.5
In two minds about this one!
Hardy, like many great mathematicians, initially comes off as elitist, snobby and mildly misogynistic. And this doesn’t really change, his insistence on a type of “real mathematics”, his dismissal of anyone without what he considers an “acceptable” understand of maths. However, I read this book with this in mind, wanting to dig into Hardy’s psyche, and this did give me a piece of that.
Hardy’s meditations on the purpose of mathematics, the usefulness and seriousness of mathematic theorems, is really interesting. Maths is probably the largest constant in my life and it is no small thing to wonder whether it has any use at all. His insistence of maths as an art, akin to poetry or even cricket, is a refreshing take against the general view that mathematicians and cold and dispassion.
Glad I read it but probably won’t reread it. And it definitely didn’t need to be longer then 70 pages.
Hardy, like many great mathematicians, initially comes off as elitist, snobby and mildly misogynistic. And this doesn’t really change, his insistence on a type of “real mathematics”, his dismissal of anyone without what he considers an “acceptable” understand of maths. However, I read this book with this in mind, wanting to dig into Hardy’s psyche, and this did give me a piece of that.
Hardy’s meditations on the purpose of mathematics, the usefulness and seriousness of mathematic theorems, is really interesting. Maths is probably the largest constant in my life and it is no small thing to wonder whether it has any use at all. His insistence of maths as an art, akin to poetry or even cricket, is a refreshing take against the general view that mathematicians and cold and dispassion.
Glad I read it but probably won’t reread it. And it definitely didn’t need to be longer then 70 pages.
dimlight's review against another edition
informative
reflective
3.75
A mathematician's perspective on mathematics to the non-mathematicians. Hardy, in simple language, discusses what mathematics is about, its value, and tries to justify his position as a mathematician.
mikimeiko's review against another edition
2.0
Uhm. This book taught me that mathematicians are jerks who can't write.
But! In some passages the love of mathematics shines so bright that you could forgive everything else.
But! In some passages the love of mathematics shines so bright that you could forgive everything else.
ashokkoduru's review against another edition
3.0
This is a personal opinion. Like many people, I too was aware of Hardy only through the life of Ramanujan. I neither heard about him nor was I taught any significant contributions made by him. The essay by Hardy does raise some important questions although showing juxtaposed reasons like his loss of interest at one point and lack of significance in the problems he was dealing. The forward is a negative for the book which is almost half of it. While Hardy by his own admission said that Ramanujan was his greatest discovery in the field of Maths, I felt a little repelled while he was compared to people like Einstein and Bohr, giving reasons for us to read this book, which in itself is a big justification for lackluster achievements.
bookworm0528's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I loved this :)) The preface by Snow was fascinating and the book itself was beautifully written and shed a lot of light on the beauty of mathematics. I don’t know how much it would be appreciated by someone is not already very fond of pure math though.